Biocompatibility analysis of different biomaterials in human bone marrow cell cultures

Abstract

A cell culture system for biocompatibility testing of hip implant materials is described. Human bone marrow cells have been chosen because these cells are in direct contact with the biomaterial after implantation in situ. The sensitivity of this method is evaluated for materials which are already being used as implants in humans and animal, e.g., hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramic, pure titanium, and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). As indicative parameters of biocompatibility primary cell adherence, cell number, cell proliferation, production of extracellular matrix, cell vitality, and cell differentiation are described. After 2 weeks in culture, obvious differences between the biomaterials with respect to the indicative parameters could be observed. Cell numbers were greatest on the HA specimens. In the case of titanium alloys, we observed a decreased number of cells. The production of extracellular matrix was high for the HA ceramics but reduced for titanium specimens. The polymers allowed only a few adherent cells and showed no signs of extracellular matrix production. The results can be correlated astonishingly well to animal experiments and clinical experiences. Therefore, we suggest that this cell culture system seems to be a useful tool for biocompatibility testing of bone implantation materials. It also helps reduce animal experiments. With the help of flow cytophotometry, we analyzed the influence of biomaterials on large numbers of cells with respect to differentiation. There were similar populations of T cells and monocytes on all specimens tested. Extended B-cell and granulocyte populations, however, were observed with titanium and UHMWPE. Most osteocalcin-containing cells adhered to the HA ceramics.

Size-controlled synthesis and characterization of fluorapatite nanocrystals in the presence of gelatin

“…Deviation from the stoichiometry of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 (OH) 2 ) is due to the presence in the crystal lattice of vacancies and ion substitutes such as carbonates, fluorides, sodium and potassium, which are usually introduced into the precipitating system with the reactants [2,3]. HA has been studied extensively and used for clinical applications due to its excellent biocompatibility [4][5][6][7][8]. The hydroxyl groups (OH − ) in HA might be partially or totally replaced by fluoride ions (F − ), thus forming a wide range of solid composites of fluoridated HA (FHA) with a formula Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 (OH) 2 − x F x .…”

Ag and Ag/N2 plasma modification of polyethylene for the enhancement of antibacterial properties and cell growth/proliferation

“…However, it is difficult to find polymers that meet all the requirements, such as antibacterial ability, biocompatibility, bioactivity, hydrophilicity, roughness and mechanical properties [1]. Polyethylene (PE), one of the most common biomedical polymers possessing excellent mechanical properties, suffers from insufficient biocompatibility and bioactivity [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Moreover, the materials can be easily attacked by bacteria in vivo.…”

Comprehensive Biocompatibility Testing of a New Semirigid Titanium Spine Implant in Vitro

“…On the other hand, fully differentiated cells such as osteoblasts, fibroblasts and osteoclasts, showed very little sensitivity [11,24,25]. In this study a human bone marrow cell culture system was used to test the biocompatibility of different implant materials under in vitro conditions [26][27][28][29]. The human bone marrow cell culture offers several advantages in respect to • the use of physiological cells, • cells of human origin, • a cell population that has primary contact with the implanted prothesis material, • the presence of immunocompetent B-and T-lymphocytes and undifferentiated mesenchymal stem-cells (osteoprogenitor-cells) which are known to be capable of differentiating into fibrous tissue cell lines such as osteoblasts, fibroblasts and osteoclasts [30].…”

“…They were able to show that cell adhesion potential increases with roughness and that hydrophilic materials promote a weak reversible adsorption of culture proteins, whereas hydrophobic ones induced an irreversible adsorption of high-molecular-weight proteins like fibrogen or fibronectin [10,18,37]. Due to former investigations [26][27][28][29] the human bone marrow cell culture system could be an additional method for biomaterial testing. The cell cultures are sufficiently sensitive to predict the capability for osseointegration of various biomaterials.…”