In vitro adhesion and biocompatability of osteoblast-like cells to poly(methylmethacrylate) and poly(ethylmethacrylate) bone cements

A bone cement, poly(ethylmethacrylate)/n-butylmethacrylate (PEMA/nBMA) has been developed with lower exotherm and monomer leaching compared to the traditional poly(methylmethacrylate)/methylmethacrylate (PMMA/MMA) cement. This study compares the in vitro biological response to the cements using primary human osteoblast-like cells (HOB). Cell attachment was qualified by immunolocalization of vinculin and actin cytoskeleton, showing more organization on PEMA/nBMA compared to PMMA/MMA. Proliferation was assessed using tritiated thymidine incorporation, and phenotype expression determined by measuring alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. An increase in proliferation and ALP activity was observed on PEMA/nBMA compared to PMMA/MMA. The results confirm the biocompatability of PEMA/nBMA, and an enhanced cell attachment and expression of differentiated cell phenotype.