Cellular compatibility of bone-like apatite containing silicon species

A calcium carbonate/siloxane-containing poly-(lactic acid) composite (Si-CCPC) was prepared by a sol-gel method. Si-CCPC was immersed in simulated body fluid for 3 days, resulting in the formation of bone-like hydroxyapatite layer containing silicon species (b-HA(Si)) on Si-CCPC. The b-HA(Si) was estimated in the cellular compatibility by culture tests using osteoblast-like cells (MC3T3-E1 cells), human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and human osteoblasts (HOBs). Cellular number of MC3T3-E1 cells and alkaline phosphatase activity of MSCs on the b-HA(Si) increased significantly more in comparison with that on the conventional b-HA (without silicon species). Cellular spreading of MC3T3-E1 cells after 1 day of culturing was enhanced on the layer with and without silicon species. The b-HA(Si) was expected to enhance cellular proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, and the b-HA layer was believed to play the important role for cellular spreading. After 14 and 21 days of HOBs-culturing, bone nodules formation was observed on the b-HA(Si). The b-HA(Si) has great potential in use as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.