Effects of Titanium Ions on Osteogenesis of MC3T3-E1 Cells Through Transforming Growth Factor-β/Smad Signaling Pathway

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys have been now widely used in the denture implantation. However, due to corrosion, the surface of the implants may release titanium (IV) (Ti(IV)) ions affecting the periimplant environment. Studies have found that Ti ions at high concentration may improve the activity of osteoclasts and increase the inflammation, the mechanism of which is still unclear. Our study aimed to explore the effects of the Ti ions at low concentration (10 μmol/L) on the MC3T3-E1 cells which were of great osteogenic potential and whether the TGF-β/Smad pathway played an important role during the process. We confirmed that 10 μmol/L Ti ions could improve the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells in a time-independent way. The expressions of Smad2/3, p-Smad2/3 and osteogenesis related genes were upregulated when the MC3T3-E1 cells cultured in the medium with 10 mol/L Ti ions. In summary, low concentration of Ti ions (10 μmol/L) could promote the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells through the TGF-β/Smad pathway.