L929 fibroblast and Saos-2 osteoblast response to hydroxyapatite-betaTCP/agarose biomaterial

Biphasic calcium phosphate, a mixture of hydroxyapatite (HA) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP), has been successfully used as an excellent bone graft substitute because of the HA capacity for direct interaction with bone and the beta-TCP resorption properties. Agarose has been recently mixtured with ceramics as natural biodegradable binder to increase the biomaterial flexibility facilitating its placement into the bone defect. In this study, the behavior of L929 fibroblasts and Saos-2 osteoblasts cultured on hydroxyapatite-betaTCP/agarose disks has been evaluated. Both cell types adhere and proliferate on the biomaterial surface maintaining their characteristic morphology. Transitory changes on cell cycle, size, and complexity are observed. The biomaterial induces apoptosis in Saos-2 osteoblasts but not in fibroblasts. A transitory stimulation of fibroblast mitochondrial activity is observed. This effect remains in osteoblasts after 9 days of culture showing a higher sensitivity of this cell type. However, the intracellular reactive oxygen species content and the lactate dehydrogenase release of Saos-2 osteoblasts indicate that hydroxyapatite-betaTCP/agarose does not induce oxidative stress in this cell type and confirm the integrity of the osteoblast plasma membrane. These results underline the good biocompatibility of hydroxyapatite-betaTCP/agarose disks and its potential utility for bone substitution and repair.