Cell Adhesion and Initial Bone Matrix Deposition on Titanium-Based Implants with Chitosan–Collagen Coatings: An In Vitro Study

In orthopedics, titanium (Ti)-alloy implants, are often considered as the first-choice candidates for bone tissue engineering. An appropriate implant coating enhances bone matrix ingrowth and biocompatibility, improving osseointegration. Collagen I (COLL) and chitosan (CS) are largely employed in several different medical applications, for their antibacterial and osteogenic properties. This is the first in vitro study that provides a preliminary comparison between two combinations of COLL/CS coverings for Ti-alloy implants, in terms of cell adhesion, viability, and bone matrix production for probable future use as a bone implant. Through an innovative spraying technique, COLL–CS–COLL and CS–COLL–CS coverings were applied over Ti-alloy (Ti-POR) cylinders. After cytotoxicity evaluations, human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) were seeded onto specimens for 28 days. Cell viability, gene expression, histology, and scanning electron microscopy evaluations were performed. No cytotoxic effects were observed. All cylinders were biocompatible, thus permitting hBMSCs’ proliferation. Furthermore, an initial bone matrix deposition was observed, especially in the presence of the two coatings. Neither of the coatings used interferes with the osteogenic differentiation process of hBMSCs, or with an initial deposition of new bone matrix. This study sets the stage for future, more complex, ex vivo or in vivo studies.