Effect of surface chemical modification of bioceramic on phenotype of human bone-derived cells

In the search for methods to improve the biocompatibility of prosthetic materials, attention has recently been directed toward the potential use of surface chemical modification and its influence on cellular behavior. This in vitro study investigates the effect of surface chemistry modification of bioceramics on human bone-derived cells (HBDCs) grown on biomaterial surfaces for 2 weeks. Cells were cultured on either alumina (Al2O3), alumina doped with magnesium ions ([Mg]-Al2O3), or hydroxyapatite (HAP), as well as tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS). Expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), thrombospondin (Tsp), osteopontin (OP), osteocalcin (OC), osteonectin (ON/SPARC), type I collagen (Col I), and bone sialoprotein (BSP) were determined in terms of mRNAs and proteins. Protein levels for ALP, OP, OC, and BSP were significantly (p < 0. 05) greater at day 5 in HBDCs cultured on [Mg]-Al2O3 compared to those cells grown on Al2O3. At day 14 the levels of ALP, Tsp, Col I, OP, ON/SPARC, and BSP rose significantly (p < 0.05) above those occurring in HBDCs grown on Al2O3, HAP, and TCPS. This suggests that HBDCs from the same patient respond to differences in the surface chemical groups. This study confirms that the chemistry of a substratum, which facilitates cellular adhesion, will enhance cellular differentiation.