Effects of titanium nanoparticles on adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

Yanhua Hou, Kaiyong Cai, Jinghua Li, Xiuyong Chen, Min Lai, Yan Hu, Zhong Luo, Xingwei Ding, Dawei Xu

Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology and Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influences of nanoscale wear particles derived from titanium/titanium alloy-based implants on integration of bone. Here we report the potential impact of titanium oxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles on adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from the cellular level to the molecular level in the Wistar rat.
Methods: A series of TiO₂ nanoparticles (14 nm, 108 nm, and 196 nm) were synthesized and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively.
Results: The TiO₂ nanoparticles had negative effects on cell viability, proliferation, and the cell cycle of MSC in a dose-dependent and size-dependent manner. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to investigate the effects of particle internalization on adhesion, spreading, and morphology of MSC. The integrity of the cell membrane, cytoskeleton, and vinculin of MSC were negatively influenced by large TiO₂ nanoparticles.
Conclusion: The Transwell migration assay and a wound healing model suggested that TiO₂ nanoparticles had a strong adverse impact on cell migration as particle size increased (P < 0.01). Furthermore, alkaline phosphatase, gene expression of osteocalcin (OC) and osteopontin (OPN), and mineralization measurements indicate that the size of the TiO₂ nanoparticles negatively affected osteogenic differentiation of MSC.

Keywords: mesenchymal stem cells, titanium dioxide, nanoparticles, cytotoxicity, adhesion, migration