Differential cytokine responses of murine macrophage J774A.1 cells to stainless steel coated with and without hydroxyapatite

Identification of cytokines secreted by macrophages and assessment of macrophage function in response to biomaterials is an important aspect of the host response to biomaterials. In the present study, differential cytokine responses of murine macrophage J774A.1 cells to stainless steel (SS) coated with and without hydroxyapatite (HA) were investigated. HA-coated SS was prepared through the deposition of thin (1 μm thick) calcium phosphate film by electron beam evaporation. SEM micrographs show that the surface of HA-coated SS was smoother than that of SS. Cell growth of J774A.1 macrophages onto HA-coated was about 1.5 times better than that onto intact SS. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the mRNA of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, transforming growth factor-β and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor, was relatively less expressed in J774A.1 macrophages grown onto HA-coated SS. These results suggest that HA coatings may influence the expression of inflammatory cytokine in macrophages and improve the surface properties of metallic materials.