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 atom ic layers of biomaterials by ion beam implantation in order to stimula te 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 cult ured from explanted human bone. The attachment and spreading of cultur ed human bone derived cells onto (Mg)-(Al2O3) was significantly enhanc ed as compared to Al2O3. The role of adsorption of serum adhesive glyc oproteins fibronectin (Fn) and vitronectin (Vn) in the adhesion of hum an bone derived cells to (Mg)-(Al2O3) was determined. The requirement for Fn or Vn for the attachment and spreading of bone-derived cells on to the Al2O3 and (MS)-(Al2O3) surfaces was directly tested by selectiv e 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) sur faces in the presence of FBS was dependent upon serum Vn.