Migration of osteoblastic cells on various guided bone regeneration membranes

To evaluate the biological effects of guided bone regeneration (GBR) barrier materials on osteoblastic cell migration, migration of mouse osteoprogenitor cells (MC3T3-E1) was examined, in vitro, on various membranes. Eight commercially available GBR membranes - bovine type I collagen (BioMend; BM), porcine type I collagen (BioGide; BG), bovine type I atelocollagen (Tissue Guide; TG), polylactic acid (Epi-Guide; EG), co-polymer of polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid (Resolute; RL, Resolut XT; RL-XT), expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE; Gore Tex; GT) and co-polymer of cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose (Millipore filter; MP) - were tested. A 3x5 mm section of the membrane was fixed to the bottom of a culture dish with double-sided adhesive tape, and half of the membrane was closely covered by PARAFILM (American National Can) to leave an unexposed area for cell migration. The border between exposed and unexposed areas was marked as a baseline of cell migration. Membranes were then plated with 3 ml of cell suspension at an initial density of 1x105 cells/ml in alpha-MEM culture medium with 10% fetal bovine serum and ascorbic acid. After a 5-hour incubation, non-attached cells were completely washed out with phosphate buffered saline and the PARAFILM cover was removed. After 3 days cultivation, specimens were fixed with 10% buffered formalin and stained briefly with hematoxylin. The area of cell migration on a membrane was analyzed using a LA 500 Image Analysis System and migration area per unit length of the baseline (mm2/mm) was compared among membranes. Results demonstrated that cell migration was greater in the order: RL>RL-XT, BM, TG, MP>EG, BG. Membranes except for BG, EG and GT showed the migration rate equal to or higher than a plastic culture cover slip (Celldesk) (P<0.01) on which cells generally grow favorably. Only a small number of the cells attached to GT, and the net cell migration for the membrane could not be determined. These results indicate that GBR barrier materials per se may influence the process of bone regeneration in vivo through the effects of their presence on cell migration.