The spatial resolution of protein adsorption on surfaces of heterogeneous metallic biomaterials

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Abstract
This study was designed to examine the heterogeneity of the adsorption of proteins onto metallic materials. The materials studied included pure Ag, Au, and Ti and sintered Ag 10% Ti and Ag 10% Ta. The distribution of the protein adsorption was studied using I-125 labeled albumin detected by microautoradiography. The surface morphology of the specimens was examined in the scanning electron microscope prior to exposure to the protein solution. A heterogeneous distribution in albumin adsorption was observed over the Ag surface. Similar regions were observed over parts of the mixed metal specimens, but superimposed on this pattern were distinct regions of very low protein adsorption which appeared to correlate closely with the regions of Ti or Ta observed in the scanning electron microscope. A uniform distribution of adsorbed albumin was observed on the Au and Ti, with Au giving a much denser microautoradiograph than Ti. This work demonstrates that variations in the protein adsorption to heterogeneous materials can be observed on a microscopic scale.