Standardised testing of bone/implant interfaces using an osteoblast cell culture system. III. PVD hard coatings and Ti6Al4V

The effect of titanium-based PVD coatings and a titanium alloy on the proli feration and differentiation of osteoblasts was investigated using a standa rdised cell culture system. Human fetal osteoblasts (hFOB 1.19) were cultur ed on titanium-niobium-nitride ([Ti,Nb]N), titanium-niobium-oxy-nitride coa tings ([Ti,Nb]ON) and titanium-aluminium-vanadium alloy (Ti6Al4V) for 17 da ys. Cell culture polystyrene (PS) was used as reference. For the assessment of proliferation, the numbers and viability of the cells were determined, while alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen I and osteocalcin synthesis s erved as differentiation parameters. On the basis of the cell culture experiments, a cytotoxic effect of the mat erials can be excluded. In comparison with the other test surfaces, [Ti,Nb] N showed greater cell proliferation. The [Ti,Nb]N coating was associated wi th the highest level of osteocalcin production, while all other differentia tion parameters were identical on all three surfaces. The test system descr ibed reveals the influence of PVD coatings on the osteoblast differentiatio n cycle. The higher oxygen content of the [Ti,Nb]ON surface does not appear to have any positive impact on cell proliferation. The excellent biocompat ibility of the PVD coatings is confirmed by in vivo findings. The possible use of these materials in the fields of osteosynthesis and articular surfac es is still under discussion.