Biocompatibility of functionalized TiO2 thin films

Abstract

This proposal is part of a multidisciplinary context, inserted in the new area of nanobiotechnology, which should revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of several diseases and pathologies. Nanostructured titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been used as surface modifiers in medical implants, promoting improved resistance to bio-corrosion of the material and increased bioactivity of oxides, showing promising results in the interaction with living tissue. Although the biocompatibility of this oxide is recognized, there are still many unknown aspects about the adhesion mechanisms between the proteins and the surface of the material that lead to osseointegration of the implant. The surface of TiO2 can be easily functionalized through the hydroxyl groups with bifunctional groups, such as bisphosphonates and proteins, which can improve the osseointegration of the implant. Bisphosphonates are drugs widely used for diseases associated with increased bone resorption, such as osteoporosis, as they may improve bone remodeling. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and fibronectin are abundant plasma proteins that participate in the initial biological processes after implant insertion. When the surface of a biomedically applied material is modified, the in vitro assays are the initial tests for the evaluation of cellular toxicity. These tests qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the toxicity of the material against specific cells, allowing to verify possible deleterious effects on adhesion and proliferation of cells when placed in direct or indirect contact with the material. This project proposes to evaluate the biocompatibility of thin films of TiO2 functionalized with bisphosphonates, albumin and / or fibronectin from in vitro direct cytotoxicity tests, mutagenesis assays and analysis of cell adhesion, growth and proliferation. (AU)