Product Code: JLA_17_2_127

Authors:
L. Hao
J. Lawrence
Manufacturing Engineering Division, School of Mechanical & Production Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore 639798

The adsorption of proteins onto a biomaterial surface from the surrounding fluid phase is rapid, with the surface properties of the biomaterial determining the type, amount, and conformation of the adsorbed proteins. Magnesia partially stabilized zirconia (MgO–PSZ), a bioinert ceramic used at the high-load bearing sites, does not naturally form a direct bond with bone. It is believed that a favorable adsorption of the fibronectin could promote cell adhesion and subsequently the bonding between the bone and MgO–PSZ implant. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate adsorption of human plasma fibronectin on the untreated MgO–PSZ and CO₂ laser modified MgO–PSZ using an ellipsometry. It found that CO₂ laser treatment brought about a higher amount of the adsorbed fibronectin layer on the modified MgO–PSZ compared with the untreated sample. The adsorption of human plasma fibronectin was influenced by the surface properties, especially positively related to the wettability characteristic. The result implies that the fibronectin adsorption on the MgO–PSZ surfaces was probably due to the polar and chemical interactions, since the considerable change in γ_sv^p instead of minor difference in γ_sv^d of the MgO–PSZ was the main mechanism governing the wettability characteristics after CO₂ laser irradiation. The work provides important information regarding protein–bioceramic interactions and feasible of the technique for mediating the protein adsorption and the bonding between tissue implant.