Effect of porous tantalum on the biological response of human peripheral mononuclear cells exposed to Porphyromonas gingivalis

AIM: To evaluate biological behavior of human peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) in contact with porous tantalum (PT) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg). METHODS: Pg was incubated for 8 hours. The groups formed were: PBMC (control), PBMC + PT, PBMC + Pg and PBMC + PT + Pg. Cell viability was evaluated using MTT assay. The morphology and adhesion of PBMC to PT was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Expression of interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)-9 and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κΒ ligand (RANKL) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: MTT assay revealed that PT did not interfere in the mitochondrial activity of PBMC (P > .05). Scanning electron microscopy showed the adherence of PBMC to PT. IL-10 levels in PBMC + PT were similar to PBMC and lower than PBMC + Pg. TGF-β levels in PBMC + PT were higher than PBMC and PBMC + Pg. MMP-9 levels in PBMC + PT were similar to PBMC and lower than PBMC + Pg and PBMC + PT + Pg. RANKL levels in PBMC + PT were lower than in PBMC. CONCLUSION: PT did not affect PBMC viability, allowed cell adhesion, reduced expression of RANKL and enhanced TGF-β in comparison with the control group.