Initial attachment of human oral keratinocytes cultured on zirconia or titanium

Abstract

Initial attachment of human oral keratinocytes (HOKs) cultured on mirror-surfaced commercially pure titanium (Ti) or yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (TZP) was investigated. Numbers of viable attached HOKs, their mRNAs and proteins expression of laminin γ₂ and integrin β₄ were evaluated using the WST-1 assay, quantitative real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Localization of laminin γ₂ and integrin β₄ was observed using immunofluorescent staining. Cell spreading was evaluated by measuring the perimeter of actin on fluorescent stained images, and cell morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy. At 1 h TZP elicited less of initial attachment than Ti in terms of mRNAs expression and proteins expression of laminin γ₂ and integrin β₄ (p<0.05). However, at 48 h TZP was showed similar initial attachment in comparison to Ti. Therefore, it was suggested that TZP has a potential to form epithelial attachment like Ti.