Abnormal cell-selective surface modification by phenylboronic acid functionalized carbon dots on hierarchical bioceramic coating

A challenge of bone implants is to create a cell-selective surface that promotes the physiological activities of normal cells but inhibits those of abnormal cells. We produced phenylboronic acid (PBA) functionalized carbon dots using PBA to create hierarchical bioceramic coatings using a one-step fabrication method. Hydrothermal treatment at 150, 175, and 200 °C for 24 h was used to form carbon-containing nano-hydroxyapatite upon micro-scaled micro-arc-oxidation coatings. Sample microstructures and surface chemical compositions were analyzed, and in vitro cell tests included assessments of cell proliferation, adhesion observation, and osteogenic differentiation. The proposed hierarchical bioceramic coatings indeed promoted MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, but inhibited osteosarcoma MG63 cell growth. This study proposed a potential surface modification method that can prevent the rapid growth of abnormal cells and be used for patients with neoplastic disease. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]