title: Osteoblast growth and function in porous poly epsilon -caprolactone matrices for bone repair: a preliminary study.
abstract: Current methods for the replacement of skeletal tissue involve the use of autografts, allografts and, recently, synthetic substitutes, which provide a proper amount of material to repair large bone defects. Engineered bone seems a promising approach, but a number of variables have to be set prior to any clinical application. In this study, four different poly caprolactone-based polymers (PCL) were prepared and tested in vitro using osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells. Differences among three-dimensional polymers include porosity, addition of hydroxyapatite (HA) particles, and treatment with simulated body fluid. Biochemical parameters to assess cell/material interactions include viability, growth, alkaline phosphatase release, and mineralization of osteoblastic cells seeded onto three-dimensional samples, while their morphology was observed using light microscopy and SEM. Preliminary results show that the polymers, though degrading in the medium, have a positive interaction with cells, as they support cell growth and functions. In the short-term culture (3-7 days) of Saos-2 on polymers, little differences were found among PCL samples, with the presence of HA moderately improving the number of cells onto the surfaces. In the long term (3-4 weeks), it was found that the HA-added polymers obtained the best colonization by cells, and more mineral formation was observed after coating with SBF. It can be concluded that PCL is a promising material for three-dimensional scaffold for bone formation, and the presence of bone-like components improves osteoblast activity.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio di Fisiopatologia degli Impianti Ortopedici, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40139, Bologna, Italy. gabriela.ciapetti@ior.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciapetti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ambrosio
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Savarino
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Granchi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cenni
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Baldini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pagani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guizzardi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Causa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giunti
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D002208:Caproates / Q000737:chemistry; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000737:chemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D010012:Osteogenesis; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D002208:Caproates; D007783:Lactones; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; C016240:polycaprolactone; C121056:caprolactone; D017886:Durapatite