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Background <p>The peri-implant seal established between a dental implant abutment and the surrounding gingival soft tissue, serves as the first line of defence against the oral environment. It is a critical determinant of the long-term stability and success of an osseointegrated implant. Carbon-fibre-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) is a promising alternative for metallic surgical implants. This in vitro study determined the optimal zirconia nanostructure on CFR-PEEK surfaces to enhance the response of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and its antibacterial properties, thereby facilitating the peri-implant seal of gingival and dental implant abutments.</p> Materials and methods <p>zirconium (Zr) ions were introduced into CFR-PEEK via plasma immersion ion implantation at different voltages and durations, denoted as Zr-1 (-15&#xa0;kV, 2&#xa0;h), Zr-2 (-30&#xa0;kV, 2&#xa0;h), and Zr-3 (-30&#xa0;kV, 3&#xa0;h). The materials were characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In vitro studies such as cell attachment assays, cytoskeleton morphology, wound healing assays, real-time PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to evaluate HGFs compatibility. Standard plate counting assay, fluorescence staining, and real-time PCR of pathogenic genes expression were used to assess the samples’ antibacterial effects.</p> Results <p>SEM and XRD revealed the formation of ZrO<sub>2</sub>-embedded nanostructures on the CFR-PEEK surface. The contact angle test and AFM results demonstrated that the Zr-1, Zr-2 and Zr-3 exhibited slightly hydrophobic surfaces and Zr-1, Zr-2 and Zr-3 exhibited increased surface roughness. In vitro assays demonstrated that Zr-2 significantly enhanced HGF proliferation and migration than that of the CFR-PEEK, Zr-1, and Zr-3. HGFs on Zr-2 also exhibited HGF-related genes upregulation (FAK, ITGA2, ITGB1, VCL, FN1, COL-1A1), along with increased collagen secretion and higher FAK/p-FAK protein levels. Furthermore, Zr-2 effectively inhibited <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> viability and downregulated its <i>fimA</i> gene expression.</p> Conclusion <p>The Zr-2 surface optimally enhanced HGF adhesion, migration, proliferation, and collagen secretion, and its inherent antibacterial properties against <i>P. gingivalis</i> make it a compelling candidate for implant abutments.</p>

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Assessment of cell compatibility and antibacterial activity of nano-ZrO2/carbon fibre-reinforced PEEK bioactive composite: an in vitro study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月28日

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  • Ran Lu,
  • Lang Xu,
  • Yao Yao,
  • Yuchen Sun,
  • Su Chen

摘要

Background

The peri-implant seal established between a dental implant abutment and the surrounding gingival soft tissue, serves as the first line of defence against the oral environment. It is a critical determinant of the long-term stability and success of an osseointegrated implant. Carbon-fibre-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) is a promising alternative for metallic surgical implants. This in vitro study determined the optimal zirconia nanostructure on CFR-PEEK surfaces to enhance the response of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and its antibacterial properties, thereby facilitating the peri-implant seal of gingival and dental implant abutments.

Materials and methods

zirconium (Zr) ions were introduced into CFR-PEEK via plasma immersion ion implantation at different voltages and durations, denoted as Zr-1 (-15 kV, 2 h), Zr-2 (-30 kV, 2 h), and Zr-3 (-30 kV, 3 h). The materials were characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In vitro studies such as cell attachment assays, cytoskeleton morphology, wound healing assays, real-time PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to evaluate HGFs compatibility. Standard plate counting assay, fluorescence staining, and real-time PCR of pathogenic genes expression were used to assess the samples’ antibacterial effects.

Results

SEM and XRD revealed the formation of ZrO2-embedded nanostructures on the CFR-PEEK surface. The contact angle test and AFM results demonstrated that the Zr-1, Zr-2 and Zr-3 exhibited slightly hydrophobic surfaces and Zr-1, Zr-2 and Zr-3 exhibited increased surface roughness. In vitro assays demonstrated that Zr-2 significantly enhanced HGF proliferation and migration than that of the CFR-PEEK, Zr-1, and Zr-3. HGFs on Zr-2 also exhibited HGF-related genes upregulation (FAK, ITGA2, ITGB1, VCL, FN1, COL-1A1), along with increased collagen secretion and higher FAK/p-FAK protein levels. Furthermore, Zr-2 effectively inhibited Porphyromonas gingivalis viability and downregulated its fimA gene expression.

Conclusion

The Zr-2 surface optimally enhanced HGF adhesion, migration, proliferation, and collagen secretion, and its inherent antibacterial properties against P. gingivalis make it a compelling candidate for implant abutments.