Comparison of osteoconductive materials on MG63 osteoblast cell function

Bone grafts are used to treat various disorders, including delayed union and nonunion of fractures, congenital pseudoarthrosis, and osseous defects from trauma, infection, and tumors. Bone graft substitutes provide surgeons a wide range of materials, structures, and potential delivery systems to use in bone grafting procedures. In addition, the materials may be used as scaffolds to deliver patient derived bone cells. The goal of this study was to seed MG63 osteoblast cells onto three different material constructs--TCP, ZnCaP and ProOsteon--and to compare the growth characteristics of the cells in reaction to the materials. Cellular response to the material was evident as early as 24 hours following the addition of cells onto the constructs. Cells were found adjacent to and along the TCP and ZnCaP carrier, while in the ProOsteon group, the cells appeared non-adhered and more round than spindle shaped. Type I collagen synthesis was highly evident in the TCP and ZnCaP groups at the end of 16 days, whereas little cellular activity was noted around the ProOsteon construct. The overall results suggest a favorable environment for bone cell growth on TCP and ZnCaP materials. The materials may serve as delivery systems for cells in tissue engineering fields in the future.