In vitro evaluation of potential calcium phosphate scaffolds for tissue engineering

Nanocrystalline calcium phosphates are very interesting candidates as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. These materials show excellent in vivo biocompatibility, cell proliferation, and resorption. In this work we have studied the osteoblast-like cell behavior seeded onto HA and BCP synthesized by controlled crystallization method and treated at different temperatures. In vitro cell attachment, proliferation, differentiation, spreading, and cytotoxicity tests have been carried out. The results can be explained as a function of the phase composition and microstructure. Under in vitro closed conditions, nanocrystalline HA depletes the calcium of the medium avoiding cell proliferation, whereas well-crystallized HA enhances high cell proliferation. On the other hand, nanocrystalline BCPs supply Ca(2+) to the medium due to the higher solubility of the beta-TCP component, allowing an excellent in vitro cellular response when osteoblast-like cells are seeded on it. These features make BCPs excellent candidates as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.