Proliferation and differentiation of rat calvarial osteoblasts on type I collagen-coated titanium alloy

Several attempts have been made to improve osseointegration of titanium alloy as an implant material by modification of its surface. In the present study, proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of osteoblasts on type I collagen-coated Ti6Al4V were investigated. The activity of alkaline phosphatase and the accumulation of calcium by osteoblasts grown on titanium alloy were significantly higher compared to cells grown on polystyrene. Precoating of the implant surface with type I collagen did not extensively affect proliferation, the activity of alkaline phosphatase, collagen synthesis, calcium accumulation, or the mRNA levels for collagen I alpha1, osteopontin, osteocalcin, MMP-2, and TIMP-2. Maximum collagen synthesis by osteoblasts was observed at day 4 of culture independent of the type of implant material. The specific activity of alkaline phosphatase reached its maximum at day 18 of culture. Accumulation of calcium and elevated mRNA levels for osteocalcin were found at day 22. These results indicate that collagen-coating alone is not sufficient to accelerate differentiation of rat calvarial osteoblasts on Ti6Al4V. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 59: 516-527, 2002.