In Vitro Cell Response to Protein Adhesion on Commercial β-TCP

Abstract

The influence of surface chemistry, roughness and hidrophilicity on the protein adhesion onto the biomaterial modulates the cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation. β-TCP is a synthetic bone substitute with bioactive, osteoconductive properties. Insulin is a polypeptide hormone that acts as a growth-stimulating factor for some cells types in culture. Few studies have been discussing this hormone role in bone remodeling and cells metabolism in vitro. The aim of this work was to evaluate the cell responses when insulin is adsorbed on β-TCP commercial discs surfaces. FTIR detected the characteristics bands of insulin adsorbed on sintered powder surface. The insulin adsorption on discs surface increase its wettability and favored growth and differentiation of the pre-osteoblastics cells. Although no addition of differentiation factors was present, it was observed deposits of extracellular matrix and collagen at 7 days in culture. The increase on affinity and cellular activity to the adsorbed insulin β-TCP substract was remarkable. It was quite clear that the insulin presents a role on activate and speed up the bone cells response while adhered to β-TCP substract. However, the insulin application on bone grafts for clinical purposes must be considered after detailed studies on animal models, which are required to fully evaluate the safe use of hormone containing grafts in clinical trials.