Osteoblast responses to orthopedic implant materials in vitro.

Responses of neonatal rat calvarial osteoblasts to a variety of orthopedic implant materials were examined in vitro. Attachment, proliferation, and collagen synthesis of a well-characterized line of osteoblasts with 316L stainless steel, Ti-6Al-4V, Co-Cr-Mo, PMMA, hydroxyapatite, borosilicate glass, and tissue culture polystyrene were studied. Cell adhesion and growth were similar on nonapatitic materials. In contrast, attachment and growth of osteoblasts were significantly lower and slower, respectively, on hydroxyapatite. Collagen synthesis per cell and relative collagen synthesis, however, were comparable on all the materials tested.