Improving osteoblast functions and bone formation upon BMP-2 immobilization on titanium modified with heparin

•A Ti substrate can be successfully modified using heparin and BMP-2.•BMP-2/Hep-Ti induced osteoblast functions compared with Ti.•BMP-2/Hep-Ti improved new bone formation than Ti. The aim of this study was to develop bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) immobilization on titanium (Ti) modified by heparin for improving osteoblast function in vitro and bone formation in vivo. The Ti surface was first modified with heparin and then immobilized with BMP-2 (BMP-2/Hep-Ti). The Ti and modified Ti were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle. In vitro studies demonstrated that osteoblasts cultured on BMP-2/Hep-Ti substrate increased ALP activity, calcium deposition, osteocalcin (OCN) and osteopontin (OPN) levels as compared to those cultured on Ti or BMP-2/Ti. In addition, intra-thread bone density and bone to implant contact ratio of BMP-2/Hep-Ti were significantly greater than those of Ti in the in vivo study. In conclusion, BMP-2 immobilized Ti modified heparin implants seemed to be a suitable delivery system for BMP-2 to improve osteoblast functions and new bone formation at the defect area around an implant.