THE EFFECT OF MAGNESIUM-ION IMPLANTATION INTO ALUMINA UPON THE ADHESION OF HUMAN BONE-DERIVED CELLS

Our group is investigating the potential of modifying the surface atomic layers of biomaterials by ion beam implantation in order to stimulate adhesion of bone cells to these treated biomaterials. In this study alumina that had been implanted with magnesium ions (Mg)-(Al2O3), was compared to unmodified alumina (Al2O3) for the adhesion of cells cultured from explanted human bone. The attachment and spreading of cultured human bone derived cells onto (Mg)-(Al2O3) was significantly enhanced as compared to Al2O3. The role of adsorption of serum adhesive glycoproteins fibronectin (Fn) and vitronectin (Vn) in the adhesion of human bone derived cells to (Mg)-(Al2O3) was determined. The requirement for Fn or Vn for the attachment and spreading of bone-derived cells onto the Al2O3 and (MS)-(Al2O3) surfaces was directly tested by selective removal of Fn or Vn from the serum prior to addition to the culture medium. The cell adhesion to both the alumina and the (Mg)-(Al2O3) surfaces in the presence of FBS was dependent upon serum Vn.