Osteoclasts and Biomaterials

Abstract

There is a growing market of biomaterials for orthopedic applications. As soon as these materials are surgically introduced into the constantly remodeling bone of the patient, they start to interact with the local cells: osteoblasts and osteoclasts. At the first glance, the bone building osteoblasts seem to be the more important cells for osseointegration of implants. However, it is mainly the bone resorbing action of osteclasts that determines the longevity of the implant. In this paper, we give a short overview over the current understanding of osteoclast biology; we review the interaction between biomaterials, biomaterial particles and osteoclasts, and the effects of treatment with antiosteoclastic agents like bisphosphonates on biomaterial implant healing.

Calcium orthophosphates (CaPO 4 ): Occurrence and properties

“…That is why, mature bones always consist of a very complex mesh of bone patches, each of which has both a slightly different structure and a different age (Palmer et al 2008;Grynpas et al 1993;Elliott 2002;Weiner and Wagner 1998;Currey 2002;Rho et al 1998;Olszta et al 2007). The interested readers are suggested to read a review on the interaction between biomaterials and osteoclasts (Schilling et al 2006).…”

In vitro osteoclast-like and osteoblast cells’ response to electrospun calcium phosphate biphasic candidate scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

“…Bone is dynamic living tissue, therefore it is important that novel bioceramics are developed that will initially function as bone replacement attending to all the requirements such as biocompatibility, structure, filler, as well as load-bearing. These bioceramics will also be able to activate the cellular response to recruit osteoclasts, osteoblasts and endothelial cells to the implant site for the resorbtion of the implant whilst enhancing the formation of new living bone [2,7,8,[18][19][20]. Many different factors influence the activity of bone in the body which makes it crucial to understand the dynamics of bone and its interaction with the environment before real advances can be made in bioceramics for bone replacement and repair, as well as tissue engineering [4,21,22].…”

Biomaterials and Bone Remodeling: The Physiologic Process Required for Biologization of Bone Substitutes

“…Thus the remodeling process decides about integration and loosening as well as whether the material will be eventually replaced by new bone. In this regard the meaning of one aspect of remodeling, namely resorption is further highlighted in another paper in this issue of the European Journal of Trauma by Schilling et al [47]. Schilling specifically points to the difference between resorption and degradation of a biomaterial, as only resorption allows integration into the remodeling cycle and subsequent replacement by bone; in contrast, degradation leads not only to a bony replacement of the material but also in certain circumstances to deleterious inflammation and destruction of the host organ [48,49].…”