Cellular response to alumina

Abstract Alumina-based biomaterials play a vital role in biomedical engineering due to their unique biomechanical and biocompatibility properties. Instantly following implantation, the interactions between the biomaterial and blood begin. Consequently, the plasma proteins cover the implant surfaces. Since the adsorption of proteins on the biomaterial surface is performed faster than the migration of cells to a biomaterial surface, this produced film is of importance for the adsorption and activation of phagocytes. Therefore the main goal of this chapter is to explain the inherent physicochemical and mechanical properties of alumina surfaces that influence proteins and cell responses and the recent studies that have focused on the biocompatibility and functionalization of alumina. The knowledge of the interaction mechanisms of the immune system with the surface of alumina could play a vital role in success of implanting the alumina-based biomaterials in the body.