Cellular response to zinc-containing organoapatite: An in vitro study of proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity and biomineralization

We present a series of experiments investigating the in vitro biological activity of zinc-containing organoapatite (ZnOA)-coated titanium meshes. ZnOA is a hydroxyapatite-based material that contains poly(l-lysine) and zinc ions and can be coated onto titanium by treating the metal surface with poly(amino acids) that allow for electrostatic bonding of the mineral to the titanium surface. Preosteoblastic mouse calyaria cells were cultured on ZnOA-coated titanium meshes in a three-dimensional (3D) bioreactor, which provides an in vitro culture environment that better simulates what cells experience in vivo, compared to traditional 2D cultures. Results of these studies show a time-dependent cascade of events leading to an earlier onset of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression and biomineralization of ZnOA-coated samples as compared to controls. After the observation of peak ALP levels in ZnOA-coated titanium samples, mineralized bone nodules were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Tetracycline staining confirmed that the observed mineral nodules were newly synthesized biomineral, and not due to the inorganic coating. ZnOA-coated titanium substrates represent a new class of materials for human repair that provide, mechanical stability, as well as chemical and biochemical signals to promote new bone growth.