Enhanced Biological Behavior of In Vitro Human Gingival Fibroblasts on Cold Plasma-Treated Zirconia

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether atmospheric-pressure dielectric-barrier-discharge plasma treatment of zirconia enhances its biocompatibility with human gingival fibroblasts.Materials and MethodsThe zirconia disks were divided into four groups and treated using helium atmospheric-pressure dielectric-barrier-discharge plasmas for 30, 60 or 90 s or left untreated. The surface morphology, wettability and chemical elements were analyzed. Fibroblasts density, morphology, morphometry and attachment-related genes expression were measured at different time points from 3 to 72 h.ResultsAfter plasma treatment, the surface morphology and roughness remained the same, while the contact angle decreased from 78.31° to 43.71°, and the surface C/O ratio decreased from 3.17 to 0.89. The surficial areas and perimeters of HGFs were increased two-fold in the treated groups at 3 h. Fibroblasts density increased on treated disks at all time points, especially the ones treated for 60 s. Attachment-related genes in the groups treated for 30 and 60 s were significantly higher at 3 and 24 h.ConclusionThe helium atmospheric-pressure dielectric-barrier-discharge plasma treatment enhances the biological behavior of fibroblasts on zirconia by increasing the expression of attachment-related genes within 24 h and promoting the cell density during longer culture times. Wettability of zirconia, an important physicochemical property, has a vital influence on the cell behaviors.

Effect of Clinically Relevant CAD/CAM Zirconia Polishing on Gingival Fibroblast Proliferation and Focal Adhesions

“…Cell behavior is influenced by this adsorbed layer [ 59 ]. Therefore, it is entirely possible that the unpolished control surface bound the culture medium proteins in a fashion that influenced the cells to initially preferentially increase FAK Y397 phosphorylation at 24 h. At 48 h, FAK phosphorylation was lower compared to 24 h and showed no differences between any groups, so any early advantage to the cells attaching to the control surface may have been transitory, which is in line with past research [ 18 , 60 ]. Also, at 48 h the cells were likely less migratory and more proliferative, which would correlate with decreased FA formation [ 61 ].…”

“…Previous work, and the work presented herein, suggests that other factors besides surface topography, as measured by R a , may be affecting cellular responses. For example, other groups have shown that surface energy [ 18 ], chemical composition of the surface [ 65 ], and surface features not directly quantifiable by R a affect cellular behavior [ 66 ]. For example, hydroxyl group presence on surfaces has been shown to promote influence integrin binding and so FA formation [ 67 ].…”

“…Based on preliminary results, 2 × 10 4 cells/well in complete media were seeded onto Zr surfaces in 96 well-plates. Briefly, using special low-adhesion, low-retention pipette tips, 10 μL of cell suspension was pipetted onto each disk and incubated for 90 min, similar to Zheng et al [ 18 ]. Following this, complete medium was added (140 μL/well) and well-plates were further incubated for 24 or 48 h. Following cell seeding and incubation (24 h and 48 h), cells were fixed by immersion in 95% ethanol for 5 min and air-dried, then imaged at a magnification of ×200.…”

“…The surfaces of abutments are well studied for their effect on cellular behavior. Biologically-inspired surface functionalization [ 15 , 16 ] and surface energy [ 17 , 18 ] approaches have all been tested in vitro to elucidate positive cellular responses implicated in mucosal seal formation. Similarly, a wide range of work has examined the effects of surface topography on cellular responses important to mucosal seal formation, including proliferation and adhesion [ 7 , 8 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Cold Physical Plasmas in the Field of Hygiene—Relevance, Significance, and Future Applications

“…Up to now, no development of microorganisms resistant to the plasma's cytotoxicity was observed. Plasmas also improve bio‐active surfaces and thus increase the tissue‐compatibility of implant materials . Moreover, plasmas induce metabolic modification in microorganisms which may be useful to improve biodegradation or to increase the production of specific metabolites .…”