In vitro Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cultured with Hardystonite (Ca2ZnSi 2O7) and β-TCP Ceramics

Abstract

The effects of hardystonite (Ca2ZnSi2O7, CSZn) and tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were compared by directly culturing MSCs on ceramic disks (contact mode) or separately culturing cells with ceramic disks (non-contact mode). In non-contact mode, the CSZn ceramic supported MSC proliferation more strongly than did the β-TCP ceramic. However, in contact mode, the MSCs proliferated more quickly on the β-TCP ceramic than they did on the CSZn ceramic. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and osteogenic gene expression analysis showed that the CSZn and β-TCP ceramics had significant effects on the promotion of the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs in both non-contact and contact mode. Furthermore, in contact mode, the CSZn disk promoted the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs more strongly than did the β-TCP disks. Even without the induction of dexamethasone and β-glycerophosphate, CSZn stimulated the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. These results suggest that CSZn ceramic would be a useful candidate material for bone regeneration and hard tissue engineering.