Differentiation potential of osteoblast from cultured C2C12 cells on zirconia disk

We examined the adaptability of zirconia as a fixture for implants. A mouse myoblast cell line (C2C12) was seeded on Ce-TZP and titanium disks, and on poly-L-lysine-coated glass slides. Proliferation potency was determined by cell counting and mineral induction by BMP2 was studied. The osteoblastic differentiation potency was determined by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alizarin red (ARS) staining. ALP activity and calcium concentrations were colorimetrically measured. The number of cells on all materials was approximately equal. ALP and ARS staining showed densely-stained images, demonstrating the induction of C2C12 cells to express the osteoblastic phenotype. RT-PCR showed that mRNA expressions of type I collagen, osteocalcin, osterix and ALP were up-regulated. With regard to ALP activity and calcium concentration of C2C12 cells, no significant differences were observed between Ce-TZP and titanium disks. We conclude that Ce-TZP has the biological activity comparable to titanium and has the utility as fixture of dental implants.