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Nature-inspired method may advance biocompatibility of implants

Inspired by the adhesive properties of mussels, researchers have attached a biologically active molecule to a titanium surface. Their findings could potentially enhance the biocompatibility of dental implants. (Photograph: Pisit Rapitpunt /Shutterstock)
Dental Tribune International

Dental Tribune International

Tue. 12. July 2016

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WAKŌ, Japan: Mimicking the adhesive properties of mussels, which are able to form a tight bond with smooth surfaces, scientists from the RIKEN research institute in Japan have successfully attached a biologically active molecule to a titanium surface, a metal used in artificial joints and dental implants, for example. Their findings may enable the development of new cell growth-enhancing materials and thus more biologically beneficial dental implants.

When it comes to functionality and compatibility, the achievements of nature are rarely matched by science. Mussels, for example, can attach tightly to almost any surface owing to a certain protein, L-dopa, which is able to bind very strongly even to smooth surfaces such as that of ceramics or metals.

Taking their inspiration from this particular feature, the Japanese scientists sought to imitate nature in order to enhance biocompatibility in medical applications. “We thought it would be interesting to try to use various techniques to attach a biologically active protein—in our case we chose insulin-like growth factor-1, a promoter of cell proliferation—to a titanium surface like those used in implants,” lead author Chen Zhang from the RIKEN Nano Medical Engineering Laboratory explained.

Using a combination of recombinant DNA technology and treatment with tyrosinase, the researchers were able to create a hybrid protein that contained active parts of both the growth factor and L-dopa. In additional experiments, the team was able to confirm that the proteins bound strongly to the titanium surface and remained attached, even when the metal was washed in phosphate-buffered saline, a water-based solution.

“This is similar to the powerful properties of mussel adhesive, which can remain fixed to metallic materials even underwater,” Zhang said. According to Dr Yoshihiro Ito, the team leader of the Emergent Bioengineering Materials Research Team of the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science, this universal modification process could be used with other proteins too and may allow for the production of new cell growth-enhancing materials, with potential applications in cell culture systems and regenerative medicine.

The study, titled “A bioorthogonal approach for the preparation of a titanium-binding insulin-like growth-factor-1 derivative by using tyrosinase”, was published online ahead of print on 6 July in the Angewandte Chemie International Edition journal.

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