In vitro bone formation on coral granules.

We investigated the ability of fetal rat bone cells isolated after collagenase digestion to differentiate in vitro and to produce a mineralized matrix on coral granules. Scanning electron microscopy examination of the surface of the seeded coral granules revealed that cells attached, spread, and proliferated on the material surface. Bone nodule formation was studied in this in vitro system by direct examination under an inverted phase contrast microscope. The initial event observed was the appearance of cells with phosphatase alkaline activity arranged in several layers and forming a three-dimensional organization around the coral particles. By Day 7, nodule formation began and a refringent material appeared and extended to the background cells during the following days. By Day 15, some coral granules were embedded in a mineralized matrix. Histologic results demonstrated the formation of a mineralized tissue with the appearance of woven bone.