Evelina Herendija1,*, Milica Jakšić Karišik2, Marijana R. Pantović Pavlović3, Miroslav M. Pavlović3, Olivera Mitrović-Ajtić4, Nenad L. Ignjatović5, Miloš Lazarević2
1 University of Belgrade, Multidisciplinary PhD Studies, Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Studentski Trg 1, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
2 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Dr Subotića 8, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
3 University of Belgrade, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, Department of Electrochemistry, Njegoševa 12, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
4University of Belgrade, Institute for Medical Research, Department of Molecular Oncology, Dr. Subotića 4, 11129, Belgrade, Serbia
5Institute of Technical Sciences of the Serbian Academy of Science and
Arts, Knez Mihailova 35/IV, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
*nherendija@yahoo.com
https://doi.org/10.65614/uisk_yucorr.2025.26.ch35
Abstract
The chemical modification of titanium implant surfaces significantly influenced their biological interactions. A novel surface design was developed that transitions from anticancer-inert to highly bioactive against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. Titanium samples were coated using a combined anodizing and anaphoretic electrodeposition technique. The biological responses of coated (Ti/Coating) versus uncoated (Ti) titanium were evaluated in SCC-25 cells. Flow cytometry assessed apoptosis, cellular uptake, ROS generation, and cell cycle progression, while gene and protein expression were analyzed using qPCR and Western blot. The Ti/Coating surface significantly reduced cell viability, induced early apoptosis (via BAX upregulation and BCL2 downregulation), and caused G2/M cell cycle arrest. Increased ROS production contributed to cytotoxicity. Expression of EMT markers (VIM, SNAIL, SLUG) was inhibited, while CDH1 was upregulated, correlating with reduced cell migration. Furthermore, Ti/Coating suppressed AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. These findings demonstrate that engineered titanium coatings can actively suppress OSCC cell proliferation and migration, offering a promising approach for bioactive implant surfaces with dual structural and therapeutic functions.
Keywords: chitosan; coatings-cell interaction; nano-hydroxyapatite; oral cancer cells; selenium; surface-chemical modification