Proliferation, behavior, and cytokine gene expression of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells in response to different titanium surfaces.

Success of dental implantation is initially affected by wound healing of both, hard and soft tissues. Endothelial cells (ECs) are involved as crucial cells in the angiogenesis and inflammation process of wound healing. In the present study, proliferation, mobility, cluster formation, and gene expression of angiogenesis-related molecules of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were investigated on titanium surfaces with different roughnesses: acid-etched (A), coarse-grit-blasted and acid-etched (SLA) surfaces, as well as on hydrophilic modified modA and modSLA surfaces. Cell behaviors were analyzed by proliferation assay and time-lapse microscopy, gene expression was analyzed by real time PCR. Results showed that cell proliferation, mobility, and cluster formation were highest on modA surfaces compared with all other surfaces. HUVECs moved slowly and exhibited seldom cell aggregation on SLA and modSLA surfaces during the whole observing period of 120 h. The gene expressions of the angiogenesis-related factors von Willebrand factor, thrombomodulin, endothelial cell protein C receptor, and adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin were most enhanced on modSLA surfaces. These results suggest that modA surface is optimal for proliferation and angiogenic behavior of ECs. However, modSLA surface seems to promote ECs to express angiogenesis-related factor genes, which play essential roles in controlling inflammation and revascularization of wound healing.