Titanium nanotopography enhances mechano-response of osteocyte three-dimensional network toward osteoblast activation

This study examined how titanium nanosurfaces with anisotropic nanospikes affect osteocyte mechanotransduction and intercellular network formation under mechanical loading. Using 3D MLO-Y4 osteocyte cultures on machined vs nano-roughened titanium discs, the authors demonstrated that nanotopography enhances gap-junction (Cx43) expression and osteocyte connectivity. Under cyclic compressive loading via the MechanoCulture TR system (50 kPa at 0.5 Hz for 1 h repeated five times), cells on nano-roughened surfaces exhibited stronger osteogenic signaling (Opg ↑, Sost ↓, Rankl/Opg ↓) and prostaglandin (PGE2)-mediated communication compared to machined controls, indicating enhanced osteoblast activation potential and improved bone remodeling response to masticatory-like forces.