PhD defence Bo Cao

Keywords: Macrophage–material interaction, Orthopedic implant infections, Titanium surface modification, NFATc1/c-Jun immune signaling

"Macrophage–Material Interactions: NFATc1/c-Jun Signaling, Titanium Surface Modifications and Orthopedic Implant Infections"

This thesis investigated how the surface of orthopedic implants influences the body’s immune response and the risk of infection. Infections around implants remain difficult to treat because bacteria can form protective layers that make them resistant to antibiotics. The research showed that small changes in the roughness of titanium implant surfaces can affect how immune cells, called macrophages, behave. Certain surface structures helped these cells become more active in fighting bacteria. The thesis also explored how specific molecules inside immune cells control their response to infection. Based on this knowledge, a new peptide was developed that improved the ability of immune cells to remove harmful bacteria without directly relying on antibiotics. The findings contribute to the development of smarter implant materials and new treatment approaches that support the body’s own defense system. In the long term, this may help reduce implant infections, improve recovery after surgery, and decrease dependence on antibiotics.

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