In Vitro Osteo-Immunological Responses of Bioactive Calcium Phosphate-Containing Urethane Dimethacrylate-Based Composites: A Potential Alternative to Poly(methyl methacrylate) Bone Cement

Abstract

This investigation developed new composite bone cements using urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA), poly(propylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PPGDMA), and hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), with micrometer-sized aluminosilicate glass filler. Monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM) and hydroxyapatite (HA) particles were added to enhance biological performance, particularly osteo-immunomodulation. Free radical polymerization was triggered by mixing two pastes containing either benzoyl peroxide (BPO, an initiator) or N-tolyglycine glycidyl methacrylate (NTGGMA, an activator). Increasing butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, an inhibitor) enabled a suitable delay after mixing at 25 °C for placement. At 37 °C, the delay time was reduced and the final conversion was enhanced. Findings also demonstrated the biocompatibility of the developed bone cement toward osteo-immunological cell lineages, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), fibroblasts, osteoclast precursor RAW 246.7 cells, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Notably, the cement with both MCPM and HA combined facilitated sufficient MSC growth, enabling subsequent mineralization while concurrently suppressing the proliferation of fibroblasts, osteoclast progenitors, and PBMCs. Furthermore, composite cement exhibited the capacity to differentially regulate osteoblast differentiation, cell-(in)dependent mineralization, osteoclastogenesis, and PBMC-mediated inflammatory responses at both cellular and molecular levels in vitro. These observations suggested their potential use for bone repair, especially in cases of inflammation-associated bone defects.