Tissue engineering for the regeneration of the mastoid air cells: a preliminary in vitro study

Mastoid is a pneumatic bone, composed of small interconnecting chambers covered by a mono-layer of mucosa with an abundant blood supply. One of its main functions is gas exchange according to the concentration/pressure gradient. The final goal of our research project is to regenerate mastoid air cells and their unique physiologic functions. The aim of the present study is to determine appropriate cultivating conditions for the cells cultured on the surface of artificial hydroxyapatite. In our in vitro experiment, to imitate the skeleton of mastoid bone, we used two types of three-dimensional hydroxyapatite (3D-HA), i.e. with a high (90%) and low (60%) percentage of micropores. The former type was divided into two groups: collagen-coated and non-coated. Canine mucosal- and bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BSCs), from the oral floor and femur respectively, were harvested and cultured on the 3D-HA under different conditions. To estimate the proliferation/distribution of the cultured cells over the surface of the 3D-HA, these cells were stained with the dye DiI and hematoxylin-eosin. There were no significant differences in the proliferation of cultured cells on the 3D-HA with high and low percentages of micropores. Collagen-coated HA was a better material for the cultured cells compared with the non-coated HA. Co-cultured mucosal and BSCs proliferated better than those cultured separately. In conclusion, this tissue engineering technique may be applied for the regeneration of mastoid air cells.