6 - Cellular response to bioactive ceramics

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter presents that bioactive calcium phosphate ceramics and glasses are known to bond directly to bone and to enhance bone tissue formation. This has led to their constantly increasing clinical use. Numerous studies have contributed to enhancing the understanding regarding the stimulatory effect of bioactive ceramics on bone tissue formation. Significant progress has been made in revealing solution-mediated surface reactions that take place close to the surface of bioactive ceramics. Advanced surface analysis methods have been combined with molecular techniques to facilitate a better understanding of the surface transformations of bioactive, resorbable ceramics and the protein adsorption events that are associated with immersion in biological fluids. A considerable body of knowledge has been generated regarding the effect of various bioactive ceramics on osteoblast differentiation in vitro . Very recent studies provided insight into the effect of bioactive ceramics on bone cell differentiation and tissue maturation in vivo , thereby allowing for correlation of in vitro and in vivo events. Moreover, techniques became available to study integrin-mediated cell adhesion and the subsequently activated intracellular signaling pathways that regulate cell function, including cellular differentiation and cell survival. As a result, current research efforts often combine two powerful analytical methodologies (advanced surface analysis methods and techniques to examine integrin-mediated cell adhesion and signaling mechanisms) to elucidate the mechanisms by which bioactive ceramics induce enhanced osteoblastic differentiation.