title: Titanium and tantalum as mesenchymal stem cell scaffolds for spinal fusion: an in vitro comparative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the last few years, great interest has been focused on tissue engineering as a potential therapeutic approach for musculoskeletal diseases. The role of metallic implants for spinal fusion has been tested in preclinical and clinical settings. Titanium and tantalum have excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties and are being used in this situation. On the other hand, the therapeutic role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is extensively explored for their multilineage differentiation into osteoblasts.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In vitro comparison of titanium and tantalum as MSCs scaffolds.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, we have compared the in vitro expansion capacity, viability, immunophenotype (both explored by flow cytometry) and multi-differentiation ability of MSC cultured in the presence of either titanium or tantalum fragments. The adherence of MSC to either metal was demonstrated by electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both metals were able to carry MSC when transferred to new culture flasks. In addition, our study shows that culture of MSC with titanium or tantalum improves cell viability and maintains all their biological properties, with no significant differences regarding the metal employed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This would support the use of these combinations for clinical purposes, especially in the spinal fusion and reconstruction setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Servicio de Traumatología y CO, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58, 37007, Salamanca, Spain. jfblanco@usal.es
authors.forename: Juan F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.forename: Fermin M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Guijo
authors.forename: Soraya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carrancio
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muntion
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García-Briñon
authors.forename: Maria-Consuelo
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: del Cañizo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013635:Tantalum / Q000494:pharmacology*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D014025:Titanium / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013635:Tantalum; D014025:Titanium