Formation of potential titanium antigens based on protein binding to titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Carmen Irina Vamanu1, Paul Johan Høl2, Zouhir Ekeland Allouni2, Said Elsayed3, Nils Roar Gjerdet11Departments of Oral Sciences – Dental Biomaterials, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; 2Orthopedic Biomaterials, Helse Bergen Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; 3Department of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, NorwayAbstract: Degradation products of titanium implants include free ions, organo-metallic complexes, and particles, ranging from nano to macro sizes. The biological effects, especially of nanoparticles, is yet unknown. The main objective of this study was to develop Ti-protein antigens in physiological solutions that can be used in testing of cellular responses. For this purpose, 0.1% TiO2 nanoparticles less than 100 nm were mixed with human serum albumin (HSA), 0.1% and 1%, in cell culture medium (DMEM, pH 7.2). The Ti concentrations in the resulting solutions were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The stability of the nanoparticles in suspension was analyzed by UV-vis spectrophotometer and Dynamic Light Scattering. The concentration of Ti in suspension was dependent on the presence and concentration of HSA. Albumin prevented high aggregation rate of TiO2 nanoparticles in cell culture medium. It is shown that nano TiO2-protein stable aggregates can be produced under physiological conditions at high concentrations, and are candidates for use in cellular tests.Keywords: titanium, nanoparticle, hypersensitivity to T