The differential regulation of osteoblast and osteoclast activity by surface topography of hydroxyapatite coatings.

The behavior of bone cells is influenced by the surface chemistry and topography of implants and scaffolds. Our purpose was to investigate how the topography of biomimetic hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings influences the attachment and differentiation of osteoblasts, and the resorptive activity of osteoclasts. Using strategies reported previously, we directly controlled the surface topography of HA coatings on polycaprolactone discs. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts were incubated on HA coatings having distinct isotropic topographies with submicrometer and micro-scale features. Osteoblast attachment and differentiation were greater on more complex, micro-rough HA surfaces (Ra ~2 µm) than on smoother topographies (Ra ~1 µm). In contrast, activity of the osteoclast marker tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase was greater on smoother than on micro-rough surfaces. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of resorption lacunae exclusively on smoother HA coatings. Inhibition of resorption on micro-rough surfaces was associated with disruption of filamentous actin sealing zones. In conclusion, HA coatings can be prepared with distinct topographies, which differentially regulate responses of osteoblasts, as well as osteoclastic activity and hence susceptibility to resorption. Thus, it may be possible to design HA coatings that induce optimal rates of bone formation and degradation specifically tailored for different applications in orthopedics and dentistry.

Synthesis of bioactive and machinable miserite glass-ceramics for dental implant applications.

OBJECTIVES: To synthesize and characterize machinable, bioactive glass-ceramics (GCs) suitable for dental implant applications. METHODS: A glass in the SiO2-Al2O3-CaO-CaF2-K2O-B2O3-La2O3 system was synthesized by wet chemical methods, followed by calcination, melting and quenching. Crystallization kinetics were determined by differential thermal analysis (DTA). GC discs were produced by cold pressing of the glass powder and sintered using schedules determined by DTA. The crystalline phases and microstructure of GC samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Dynamic Young's modulus (E), true hardness (Ho), fracture toughness (KIC) and brittleness index (BI) were evaluated. Bioactivity was studied by examining the formation of hydroxyapatite (HA) on the GC surfaces after soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF). Attachment and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells were assessed in vitro. RESULTS: Miserite [KCa5(Si2O7)(Si6O15)(OH)F] was the main crystalline phase of the GC with additional secondary phases. Microstructural studies revealed interlocking lath-like crystalline morphology. E, Ho, and KIC values for the GCs were 96±3 GPa, 5.27±0.26 GPa and 4.77±0.27 MPa m(0.5), respectively. The BI was found to be 1.11±0.05 µm(-0.5), indicating outstanding machinability. An HA surface layer was formed on the GC surfaces when soaked in SBF, indicating potential bioactivity. MC3T3-E1 cells exhibited attachment, spreading and proliferation on GC surfaces, demonstrating excellent biocompatibility. SIGNIFICANCE: We present a novel approach for the synthesis of miserite GC with the physical and biological properties required for non-metallic dental implant applications.

One- and three-dimensional growth of hydroxyapatite nanowires during sol-gel-hydrothermal synthesis.

Nanoscale hydroxyapatite (HA) is an optimal candidate biomaterial for bone tissue engineering because of its bioactive and osteoconductive properties. In this study, micro- and nanoscale HA particles with rod- and wirelike morphology were synthesized by a novel sol-gel-hydrothermal process. Sol-gel chemistry was used to produce a dry gel containing amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), which was used as a precursor material in a hydrothermal process. The sol-gel-hydrothermal products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to determine particle morphology, crystal structure, and the presence of chemical functional groups. A pure HA crystal was synthesized, which underwent both one- and three-dimensional growth, resulting in tunable microrod and nanorod, and wire morphologies. The effects of solution pH and reaction time on particle diameter and length were assessed. Particle diameter ranged from 25 to 800 nm and decreased with an increase in solution pH, whereas both particle length and diameter increased as the hydrothermal process was prolonged. Nanowire HA powders (10-50 wt %) were mixed with poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) to produce PCL/HA composites. Fracture surfaces of PCL/HA composites showed a well-dispersed and homogeneous distribution of HA nanowires within the PCL matrix. Mechanical testing revealed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the Young's and compressive moduli of PCL/HA composites compared to PCL alone, with 50 wt % HA producing a 3-fold increase in Young's modulus from 193 to 665 MPa and 2-fold increase in compressive modulus from 230 to 487 MPa. These HA nanowires can be used to reinforce polymer composites and are excellent biomaterials for tissue engineering of bone.

Control of surface topography in biomimetic calcium phosphate coatings.

The behavior of cells responsible for bone formation, osseointegration, and bone bonding in vivo are governed by both the surface chemistry and topography of scaffold matrices. Bone-like apatite coatings represent a promising method to improve the osteoconductivity and bonding of synthetic scaffold materials to mineralized tissues for regenerative procedures in orthopedics and dentistry. Polycaprolactone (PCL) films were coated with calcium phosphates (CaP) by incubation in simulated body fluid (SBF). We investigated the effect of SBF ion concentration and soaking time on the surface properties of the resulting apatite coatings. CaP coatings were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). Young's modulus (E(s)) was determined by nanoindentation, and surface roughness was assessed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and mechanical stylus profilometry. CaP such as carbonate-substituted apatite were deposited onto PCL films. SEM and AFM images of the apatite coatings revealed an increase in topographical complexity and surface roughness with increasing ion concentration of SBF solutions. Young's moduli (E(s)) of various CaP coatings were not significantly different, regardless of the CaP phase or surface roughness. Thus, SBF with high ion concentrations may be used to coat synthetic polymers with CaP layers of different surface topography and roughness to improve the osteoconductivity and bone-bonding ability of the scaffold.

Bioactive and biodegradable nanocomposites and hybrid biomaterials for bone regeneration.

Strategies for bone tissue engineering and regeneration rely on bioactive scaffolds to mimic the natural extracellular matrix and act as templates onto which cells attach, multiply, migrate and function. Of particular interest are nanocomposites and organic-inorganic (O/I) hybrid biomaterials based on selective combinations of biodegradable polymers and bioactive inorganic materials. In this paper, we review the current state of bioactive and biodegradable nanocomposite and O/I hybrid biomaterials and their applications in bone regeneration. We focus specifically on nanocomposites based on nano-sized hydroxyapatite (HA) and bioactive glass (BG) fillers in combination with biodegradable polyesters and their hybrid counterparts. Topics include 3D scaffold design, materials that are widely used in bone regeneration, and recent trends in next generation biomaterials. We conclude with a perspective on the future application of nanocomposites and O/I hybrid biomaterials for regeneration of bone.