title: Craniofacial osteoblast responses to polycaprolactone produced using a novel boron polymerisation technique and potassium fluoride post-treatment.
abstract: There is no ideal material for craniofacial bone repair at present. The aim of this study was to test the biocompatibility of polycaprolactone (PCL) synthesised by a novel method allowing control of molecular weight and degradation rate, with regard to it being used as matrix for a biodegradable composite for craniofacial bone repair. Human primary craniofacial cells were used, isolated from paediatric skull after surgery. Cell responses were analysed using various assays and antibody staining. Cells attached and spread on the PCL in a similar manner to the Thermanox controls as shown by phalloidin staining of F-actin. Cells maintained the osteoblast phenotype as demonstrated by alkaline phosphatase assay and antibody staining throughout the time points studied, up to 28 days. Cells proliferated on the PCL as shown by a DNA assay. Collagen-1 staining showed extensive production of a collagen-1 containing extracellular matrix, which was also shown to be mineralised by alizarin red staining. Short-term (up to 48 h) attachment studies and long-term (up to 28 days) expression of markers of the osteoblast phenotype have been demonstrated on the PCL. This new method of synthesising PCL shows biocompatibility characteristics that give it potential to be used for craniofacial bone repair.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Nottingham, E Floor, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK. j.gough@umist.ac.uk
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Gough
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Christian
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Scotchford
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D001895:Boron / Q000737:chemistry; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D005459:Fluorides / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D012886:Skull / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D024042:Collagen Type I; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D017680:Potassium Compounds; C016240:polycaprolactone; C033320:potassium fluoride; D001895:Boron; D005459:Fluorides; D002118:Calcium