My research proposal is directed toward the determination of the early osteoblast response to the effect of varying uniaxial strains on titanium implant surfaces. The major objective of this study is to develop and refine cell culture methodologies to provide a highly focused, yet comprehensive biomechanical characterization of the osteoblastic response to controlled mechanical strain. A cell culture study of this nature will afford the opportunity to explore the basic mechanisms of osteoblastic activity initiation and the resultant metabolic changes that occur following mechanical stimulation. The major hypotheses of this proposal are as follows: l. Living osteoblasts that are physically attached to a titanium substrate will be physiologically or pathologically affected by an alteration in the magnitude of strain present within the substrate. II. A change in environmental strain will induce attached osteoblasts to realign themselves so that the long axis of their cytoskeleton will reside parallel to the principal lines of strain. III. Reorganization of the cytoskeleton caused by changes in the strain environment will initiate metabolic changes within the cell. These alterations are expected to result in increased expression of genes related to the osteoblast phenotype such as Osteopontin, Type I Collagen, and Osteocalcin. These metabolic changes may also be accompanied by altered expression and/or reorganization of osteoblast integrins.
| Toms, Stephanie R; Lemons, Jack E; Bartolucci, Alfred A et al. (2002) Nonlinear stress-strain behavior of periodontal ligament under orthodontic loading. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 122:174-9 |
| Ramp, L C; Reddy, M S; Jeffcoat, R L (2000) Assessment of osseointegration by nonlinear dynamic response. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 15:197-208 |
