Osteoblast-like cell (MC3T3-E1) proliferation on bioerodible polymers: an approach towards the development of a bone-bioerodible polymer composite material.

An osteogenic cell line (MC3T3-E1) was used to study the potential of bioerodible polymers and ceramics to support osteoblast growth for a proposed bone-polymer composite for skeletal tissue repair. MC3T3-E1 cells were seeded on to 50:50 poly(lactide-co-glycolide), hydroxyapatite, 50:50 hydroxyapatite/poly(lactide-co-glycolide), and the poly(anhydride), poly(bis(p-carboxyphenoxy) propane surfaces. Cell attachment and growth on these surfaces was found to be highest on poly(lactide-co-glycolide), the least on hydroxyapatite and hydroxyapatite/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) combinations gave intermediate values. The order of adhesion and growth of MC3T3-E1 cells on the polymer and ceramic systems was poly(lactide-co-glycolide) is greater than hydroxyapatite/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) which is greater than hydroxyapatite. Negligible growth was found on poly(bis(p-carboxyphenoxy) propane. High alkaline phosphatase activity for the cells grown on poly(lactide-co-glycolide) and hydroxyapatite/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) confirmed retention of the osteoblast phenotype. This in vitro evaluation suggests that poly(lactide-co-glycolide) and hydroxyapatite/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) combinations may be candidate biomaterials for the construction of a cell-polymer matrix for skeletal tissue regeneration.