Titanium with nanotopography induces osteoblast differentiation through regulation of integrin αV

Topographical modifications of titanium (Ti) at the nanoscale level generate surfaces that regulate several signaling pathways and cellular functions, which may affect the process of osseointegration. Here, we investigated the participation of integrin alpha V in the osteogenic capacity of Ti with nanotopography. Machined titanium discs (untreated) were submitted to treatment with H2SO4/H2O2 to produce the nanotopography (nanostructured). First, the greater osteogenic capacity of the nanotopography that increased osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells compared with untreated topography was shown. Also, the nanostructured surface increased (regulation >= 1.9-fold) the gene expression of 6 integrins from a custom array plate utilized to evaluate the gene expression of 84 genes correlated with cell adhesion signaling pathway, including integrin alpha V, which is involved in osteoblast differentiation. By silencing integrin alpha V in MC3T3-E1 cells cultured on nanotopography, the impairment of osteoblast differentiation induced by this surface was observed. In conclusion, it was shown that nanotopography regulates the expression of several components of the cell adhesion signaling pathway and its higher osteogenic potential is, at least in part, due to its ability to upregulate the expression of integrin alpha V. Together with previous data that showed the participation of integrins alpha 1, beta 1, and beta 3 in the nanotopography osseoinduction activity, we have uncovered the pivotal role of this family of membrane receptors in the osteogenic potential of this surface.