J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2019, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (11): 2727-2733.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2019.04.028

• Orginal Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Osteogenesis stimulation by copper-containing 316L stainless steel via activation of akt cell signaling pathway and Runx2 upregulation

Yonghui Yuanab, Shujing Jinc, Xun Qia, Xudong Chend, Wei Zhangd, Ke Yangc*(), Hongshan Zhonga*()   

  1. aKey Laboratory of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology of Liaoning Province, Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
    bResearch and Academic Department, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang 110042, China
    cInstitute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
    dFirst Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen People's Hospital & Shenzhen Interventional Medical Engineering Research and Development Center, Shenzhen 518020, China
  • Received:2018-12-28 Revised:2019-03-26 Accepted:2019-04-04 Online:2019-11-05 Published:2019-11-22

Abstract:

As a metallic orthopedic implant, 316 L stainless steel (316 L SS) is used extensively for its good resistance to corrosion and mechanical properties. However, it takes a long time to achieve osseointegration between 316 L SS and adjacent tissues due to its bio-inert characteristic. Hence, the aim is to improve the bio-adaption of 316 L SS. A good approach is to add elements to materials to improve their osteogenic capabilities by the appropriate release of ions. Hence copper-containing 316 L stainless steel (316L-Cu SS) was investigated in this work, where Cu is an essential trace element that can stimulates osteogenesis. It was found that 316L-Cu SS was bio-safe and did not affect the proliferation of co-cultured osteoblasts in comparison with 316 L SS. It increased cell apoptosis on day 1 but inhibited it on day 3, which cooperates with new bone formation processes. Osteoblasts extend themselves more quickly and in a better manner on the surface of 316L-Cu SS, wheneven more pseudopodia are present. Furthermore, the gene expression of alkaline phosphatase, collagen I and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) in osteoblasts cultured with 316L-Cu SS was significantly enhanced. Runx2 protein expression increased, and osteogenesis was stimulated by 316L-Cu SS via an Akt cell signaling pathway. In conclusion, 316L-Cu SS stimulates osteogenesis through activation of the Akt cell signaling pathway and the upregulation of Runx2. Thus, 316L-Cu SS is a promising material that may be used in surgical implants to stimulate osteogenesis.

Key words: Osteogenesis, Cu addition, Stainless steel, Cell signaling pathway, Bone