Tailoring inflammatory response by using topographically different calcium phosphate cements

Purpose and goal

The two main goals of this project were: 1) to evaluate how the different topography of ceramic materials for bone regeneration influence the proliferation and activation of inflammatory cells; and 2) to load these ceramic materials with immunosuppressive drugs and evaluate their release and stability with time as well as their effectivity to supress some of the inflammatory cues released by inflammatory cells. These goals were accomplished and published at Acta Biomaterialia and PLOS One Journals.

Expected results and effects

Macrophages were seeded on the surface of ceramics with different topography. The macrophages were able to proliferate in a higher rate when seeded on the surface of micrometric plate-like crystals in comparison to nanometric needle-like crystals, and they also produced a higher amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the former surface. The materials were loaded with Trolox (an antioxidant), which was released gradually and was effective to decrease the ROS produced by macrophages.

Planned approach and implementation

The VINNMER grant has given me an opportunity to prolong my stay at academia, perform excellent research and get the docent title. I am now starting a new exciting project (funded by Formas). I’ll do my best to attract more funding and boost my career with excellent publications. In the meanwhile I’ll keep my eyes open for an academic position such as assistant lector or lector, which are highly competitive.