TEM Examination of the Interface between Bioglass<sup>®</sup>/Polyethylene Composites and Human Osteoblast Cells In Vitro

Abstract

The interface between Bioglass (R) reinforced polyethylene (PE) composite and human osteoblast (HOB) cells was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) after 6 weeks in vitro culture, It was found that apatite crystals had been formed around Bioglass (R) particles of the composite, and there was a direct bonding between the composite and the cells, By contrast, the HOB cell layer was detached from unfilled PE during the sample preparation, although PE was able to support the growth and proliferation of the HOB cells. The results demonstrated that in vitro culture using human osteoblast cells provides valuable information relating to the biological response of the biomaterials, PE is a biocompatible material, but lack of bioactivity. The formation of apatite on Bioglass (R) provided bonding between the composite and HOB cells, similar to that found on bulk Bioglass (R) in vivo [1]. Therefore, it is anticipated that the bioactivity of Bioglass (R) in the Bioglass (R) /PE composite is retained in vivo.