The biological effects of titanium corrosion products on gingival epithelium

Batt, Joanna Mary (2017). The biological effects of titanium corrosion products on gingival epithelium. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Implanted titanium (Ti) devices such as dental implants have been shown to produce metallic species within adjacent tissues. The effect of the presence of these species within oral epithelial tissues is currently not well characterised or known. This thesis investigates the effects of TiO $_2$ nanoparticles (TiO $_2$ NPs) at a range of concentrations on oral epithelial cells in the context of cell viability, cellular functions and interactions via a variety of methods. A co-culture model was established, and the difficulties of using a nano-scale insoluble stimulus were explored, and high content screening techniques were shown to be potentially more appropriate methods than conventional assays in this context. Interactions between TiO2 NPs and oral epithelial cells were imaged and investigated using a variety of imaging techniques. Oral epithelial cells were shown to take up TiO $_2$ NPs within vacuole type structures. Cell viability appeared to not be affected at lower concentrations. Gene expression changes of oral epithelial cells in response to TiO $_2$ NPs in the presence and absence of pathogenic bacteria were investigated. Cytokines important in cell-cell signalling were shown to bind TiO $_2$ NPs, therefore creating potential for TiO $_2$ NPs within tissues to modify immune responses within tissues adjacent to implanted Ti devices.