Tissue Eng Regen Med.  2025 Jan;22(1):57-75. 10.1007/s13770-024-00680-y.

Development of Zinc-Containing Chitosan/Gelatin Coatings with Immunomodulatory Effect for Soft Tissue Sealing around Dental Implants

• Han J
• Sanders JGF
• Andrée L
• Oirschot BAJAv
• Plachokova AS
• Beucken JJJPvd
• Leeuwenburgh SCG
• Yang F

• KMID: 2564629
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/s13770-024-00680-y

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Soft tissue integration (STI) around dental implant abutments is a prerequisite to prevent bacterial invasion and achieve successful dental implant rehabilitation. However, peri-implant STI is a major challenge after dental abutment placement due to alterations in the immune microenvironment upon surgical dental implant installation.
METHODS
Based on known immunomodulatory effects of zinc, we herein deposited zinc/chitosan/gelatin (Zn/CS/Gel) coatings onto titanium substrates to study their effect on macrophages. First, we exposed macrophages to cell culture media containing different zinc ion (Zn2+) concentrations. Next, we explored the immunomodulatory effect of Zn/CS/Gel coatings prepared via facile electrophoretic deposition (EPD).
RESULTS
We found that Zn2+ effectively altered the secretome by reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory and enhancing pro-regenerative cytokine secretion, particularly at a Zn2+ supplementation of approximately 37.5 μM. Zn/CS/Gel coatings released Zn2+ in a concentration range which effectively stimulated pro-regenerative macrophage polarization as demonstrated by M2 macrophage polarization. Additionally, the impact of these Zn2+-exposed macrophages on gingival fibroblasts incubated in conditioned medium showed stimulated adhesion, proliferation, and collagen secretion.
CONCLUSION
Our promising results suggest that controlled release of Zn2+ from Zn/CS/Gel coatings could be applied to immunomodulate peri-implant STI, and to enhance dental implant survival.

Keyword

Macrophage; Zinc ion; Chitosan; Gelatin; Soft tissue integration