One-step in situ deposition of phytic acid–metal coordination complexes for combined Porphyromonas gingivalis infection prevention and osteogenic induction

Abstract

Postoperative infection and poor osteogenesis will cause the failure of dental implant surgery. Thus, the antibacterial and osteogenic activities are the core requirements for the surface modification of dental implants. Inspired by the strong chelating ability of naturally occurring phytic acid (PA), an in situ deposition method on the surface of titanium implants was developed based on the metal–phosphate coordination networks. Biologically relevant metal cations (i.e. ferric ions and divalent copper ions) were selected as metal constituents for the construction of organic–inorganic coordination network films. The stability of PA–metal coordination bonds is rationally explained by the chemical nature of transition metal elements. This PA–metal coordination complex coating exhibited an excellent antibacterial activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis, reducing the bacterial implant colonization by > 3.92 log₁₀. The abundant phosphate groups greatly increased the surface hydrophilicity, promoted the early adhesion of proteins, improved the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, and finally achieved an enhanced osteogenic activity. In addition, the phosphate groups of PA also facilitated the deposition of hydroxyapatite by providing reaction sites to chelate with calcium ions. These findings evaluate the anti-bacterial and osteogenic potentials of PA–metal coordination complexes, and clarify the feasibility for surface modification of dental implants.