Increase of BM-MSC proliferation using L-DOPA on titanium surface in vitro

In order to increase biocompatibility, many dental implants have been studied by immobilization of biomolecules on biomaterials. We used l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) as a biomolecule for surface-modified titanium. Water contact angles of nontreated titanium discs (negative control), etched titanium discs (positive control), and titanium discs treated with L-DOPA following the etching process (experimental group) were 82.4 ± 5.7°, 67.1 ± 0.56°, and 44.15 ± 0.91°, respectively. Using atomic force microscopy images, we were able to find L-DOPA, which adhered to the titanium surface. The number of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in the experimental group was much higher than that of cells in any other group. Quantification values of amine groups in the positive control and experimental groups were approximately 3 and 7.5 µg, respectively. Therefore, findings from our research suggested the possibility of a causal link between increased L-DOPA content and cell proliferation in BM-MSCs. Moreover, coating of the discs with L-DOPA can result in greater hydrophilicity of the titanium surface and enhancement of cell adhesion and mitochondrial activity.