Modulation of the osteoconductive property and immune response of poly(ether ether ketone) by modification with calcium ions

aqueous solution. Modification of Ca ions onto PEEK enhanced the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cells and human mesenchymal stem cells, but had no apparent effect on MLC-6 osteoclast-like cells. Naïve RAW264.7 macrophages cultured on pristine PEEK produced proinflammatory cytokines, but not on Ca-modified PEEK. Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages on Ca-modified PEEK produced lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines but higher levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines compared with those on pristine PEEK. Lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines on Ca-modified PEEK were partially owing to higher interleukin-10 production mediated by Ca-activated pathways. Simple Ca modification of PEEK was shown to activate osteoblastic cell proliferation and differentiation, and shift macrophages towards an anti-inflammatory/wound healing type, which would be useful not only for bone tissue implants but also other implanted biomaterials.