Osteoclast differentiation and formation induced by titanium implantation through complement C3a

Titanium implantation is widely used for dental replacement with advantages of excellent mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, chemical stability and biocompatibility. Some patients, however, are subject to the failure of implantation due to bone resorption, which closely related to the inflammatory responses without clear mechanisms. In this study, first we found that there were inflammatory responses and increases of osteoclasts in the surrounding tissues near by the titanium implant. Further, data revealed that the C3 was increased in the serum and surrounding tissues near by the titanium implant, and activated by classical and alternative pathways. Next, we recognized that the C3a/C3aR, no C3b played an important role in stimulating secretions of pro inflammatory cytokines of TNF-alpha and MMP9 via transcription factors NF-kB and NFATc1. This cascade of responses to titanium implant leaded the differentiation and proliferation of osteoclasts in vivo and in vitro, bone resorption of surrounding tissues of Ti implant. These suggest that the cleaved C3a fragment plays predominant roles in the activation of osteoclast. Therefore, the blocking C3a activation should provide potential to prevent bone resorption and prolong the survival of biomaterial implants.

Automated summary

In this study, inflammatory responses and osteoclast proliferation near the titanium implant were identified, along with increased C3 levels in serum and tissues around the implant. It was found that the C3a fragment played a key role in stimulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting bone resorption through NF-kB and NFATc1 pathways. Blocking C3a activation could potentially prevent bone resorption and enhance the longevity of biomaterial implants.