Summary

Plasma-sprayed titanium coating (TC) with rough surfaces has been successfully applied in hip or knee prostheses. This study aimed to investigate the osteoconduction and osseointegration of Type I collagen covalently immobilised on TC (TC-AAC) compared with those of TC.

In vitro , the migration of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on TC and TC-AAC was observed by scanning electron microscopy and visualised fluorescent live/dead assay. In vivo , a rabbit model with femur condyle defect was employed, and implants of TC and TC-AAC were embedded into the femur condyles.

Collagen immobilised on TC could promote hMSCs' migration into the porous structure of the TC. Micro computed tomography images showed that bone trabeculae were significantly more abundant around TC-AAC implants than around TC implants. Fluorescence micrographs indicated more active new-bone formation around implants in the TC-AAC group than in the TC group. The measurement of bone–implant contact on histological sections indicated significantly greater osteointegration around TC-AAC implants than around TC ones.

Immobilised Type I collagen could improve the osteoconduction and osseointegration of TC implants.