TI-6AL-4V alloy and β-tricalcium phosphate-based systems for in vitro study of mesenchymal stem cell functions at implant–tissue interface

Abstract

Hip replacement is one of the most effective surgical procedures in medicine. Despite the fact that the clinical results of arthroplasty are usually excellent, some implants loosen with time and require revision. To help resolve this problem, research has focused on providing conditions that have a positive biological effect on bone building elements, resulting in a fast, seamless proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) into osteoblasts. That is why developing an in vitro model for studying MSC functions at the implant–tissue contact zone is essential. The aim of this study was to investigate the proliferation and differentiation capacity of human bone-marrow derived MSC in contact with medical implant-grade Ti-6Al-4V alloy and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). Human MSC were isolated from bone marrow aspirates obtained from the femoral canal during hip replacement surgeries and seeded on Ti-6Al-4V alloy squared specimens and β-TCP granules. The results indicate that MSC were able to effectively adhere to both biomaterial surfaces and, at the same time, retain their proliferative and osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation potential. We suggest that both Ti-6Al-4V alloy and β-TCP surfaces provide suitable conditions for the proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow MSC and can be used as in vitro models to explore MSC functions at the bone–implant interface.