title: Proliferation and function of MC3T3-E1 cells on freeze-cast hydroxyapatite scaffolds with oriented pore architectures.
abstract: Previous work by the authors showed that hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds with different types of oriented microstructures and a unique 'elastic-plastic' mechanical response could be prepared by unidirectional freezing of suspensions. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the in vitro cellular response to these freeze-cast HA scaffolds. Unidirectional scaffolds with approximately the same porosity (65-70%) but different pore architectures, described as 'lamellar' (pore width = 25 +/- 5 microm) and 'cellular' (pore diameter = 100 +/- 10 microm), were evaluated. Whereas both groups of scaffolds showed excellent ability to support the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cells on their surfaces, scaffolds with the cellular-type microstructure showed far better ability to support cell proliferation into the pores and cell function. These results indicate that freeze-cast HA scaffolds with the cellular-type microstructure have better potential for bone repair applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, 65409, USA.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Mohamed N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Rahaman
authors.forename: B Sonny
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Bal
authors.forename: Roger F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D018786:Bone Substitutes; D011506:Proteins; D017886:Durapatite; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase