| This investigation considered the role of implant surface roughness on activation of osteoblastic differentiation of uncommitted mesenchymal stem cells in humans. The aim of this study was to examine the gene expression profiles from adherent cells on moderately roughened TiO2 grit-blasted (micron-scale topography) and hydrofluoric acid modified TiO2 grit-blasted (nano-scale topography) implants. Sixty cpTitanium implants were placed and allowed to integrate for 24 hours, 72 hours, and one week in 10 systemically healthy patients. These implants were retrieved and biochemical analyzed by RT-PCR for markers of osteoblastic differentiation. A complex array of gene changes representative of osteogenesis was observed at both implant surfaces. Compared to implants with micron-scale topography, nano-scale topography implants supported greater expression of RUNX-2 (1.6 vs. 2.6-fold, p=0.18), Osterix (1.8 vs. 3.9-fold, p=0.04), BSP (2.7 vs. 4.6-fold, p=0.11) and OCN (1.6 vs. 3.2-fold, p=0.06) mRNAs indicating greater osteogenesis at 7 days in vivo. Further investigations using this model may elucidate important difference among subsets of patients who experience implant failure. |
