An image analysis method for the study of cell adhesion to biomaterials

A rapid quantitation of cell attachment and spreading based on digital image analysis: Application for cell affinity and compatibility assessment of synthetic polymers

Accurate and rapid quantitation of cell attachment, spreading, and growth on a polymer thin film coated glass cover slide was developed by analyzing the digital images of cells stained with dyes. A biodegradable block copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(l-lactide-co-2-methyl-2-carboxyl-propylene carbonate) [PEG-b-P(LA-co-MCC)] was synthesized as model polymer with poly(L-lactic acid) [PLLA] as a control polymer. Only a small quantity of polymer (~5 mg) was needed in this method through dissolving in a solvent and casting on cover slides which were previously modified with dimethyl dichlorosilane (DMDC). Then it was seeded with cells and taken pictures with a digital camera under an optical microscope and analyzed with ImageJ software. Cell number and a series of morphological data were obtained, including cell area, circularity, perimeter and Feret's diameter, etc. The quantitative analysis results indicated that cells preferred to attach and spread on the surface of the copolymer PEG-b-P(LA-co-MCC) compared to PLLA during 24 h of cell culture. This efficient procedure provides a series of convincing statistical data to evaluate the direct interaction between cells and polymers with only an optical microscope, a digital camera and ImageJ software. It's a rapid, economic way for assessing cell affinity and compatibility of novel synthetic polymers by cell culture in vitro.

Use of collagen/chitosan sponges mineralized with hydroxyapatite for the repair of cranial defects in rats

In traumatology, we encounter several clinical challenges that involve extensive bone loss primarily related to trauma, conditions that can be treated with autologous grafts. A good alternative is the use of synthetic biomaterials as substitutes. These polymers provide a suitable environment for the growth of new bone and vascular tissue, which are essential for repair. Collagen/hydroxyapatite composites have proven to be biocompatible and to behave mechanically. Furthermore, the addition of chitosan contributes to the formation of a three-dimensional structure that permits cell adhesion and proliferation, thus improving osteogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate bone formation during the repair of bone defects experimentally induced in the skull of rats and grafted with a polymer blend consisting of bovine tendon collagen and chitosan combined with hydroxyapatite. Thirty animals were used for the creation of a defect in the left parietal bone and were divided into three groups of 10 animals each: a control group without biomaterial implantation, a group receiving the blend of collagen and chitosan, and a group receiving this blend combined with hydroxyapatite. Each group was subdivided and the animals were sacrificed 3 or 8 weeks after surgery. After sacrifice, the skulls were removed for macroscopic photodocumentation and radiographic examination. The samples were processed for histological evaluation of new bone formation at the surgical site. Macroscopic and radiographic analysis demonstrated the biocompatibility of the blends. Histologically, the formation of new bone occurred in continuity with the edges of the defect, with the observation of higher volumes in the grafted groups compared to control. Mineralization of sponges did not stimulate bone neoformation, with bone repair being incomplete over the experimental period. In conclusion, mineralization by the addition of hydroxyapatite should be better studied. However, the collagen/chitosan sponges used in this study are suitable to stimulate osteogenesis in cranial defects, although this process is slow and not sufficient to achieve complete bone regeneration over a short period of time.

Caracterização de biocerâmica de fosfatos de cálcio microestruturada em diferentes composições em ovinos

RESUMO: As biocerâmicas microporosas de fosfatos de cálcio e bifásicas de hidroxiapatita e fosfato tricálcico beta (HA/TCP-β) na forma de biomateriais granulados microporosos, são temas de pesquisas e se destacam como substitutos ósseos em aplicações biomédicas. As biocerâmicas bifásicas são biocompatíveis, bioativas, osteoindutoras e promovem a osteointegração, quando aplicados in vivo ou em meio simulado. Outro ponto diferencial dessas biocerâmicas está associado à capacidade de solubilidade que esses biomateriais apresentam quando aplicados em meio biológico, permitindo a liberação gradual de íons cálcio e fosfatos para o meio biológico, estes são absorvíeis e promovem a neoformação de um novo tecido ósseo. As biocerâmicas bifásicas de fosfatos de cálcio também se apresentam promissores em aplicações traumatológicas na reparação do tecido ósseo traumatizado e na liberação controlada de medicamentos, em tratamentos da estrutura óssea. O desempenho desses biomateriais como substitutos ósseos e na liberação controlada de medicamentos, estão associados, as suas características físicas, químicas, morfológicas e de superfície. O objetivo desse estudo foi realizar a caracterização morfológica, microestrutural dos biomateriais pela técnica de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), física com difratometria de raios X (DRX) e método de Arthur para determinação da porosidade aberta. A densidade teórica dos biomateriais bifásicos foi determinada pelo método teórico das concentrações bifásicas. Por fim, se realizou avaliação do comportamento da neoformação óssea e osteointegração dos diferentes biomateriais de fosfatos de cálcio em testes in vivo em ovinos. Os testes in vivo foram realizados em tíbias de ovinos com tempo de implantação de 03 meses. Os biomateriais implantados foram hidroxiapatita (HA), fosfato tricálcico-β (TCP-β) e composições bifásicas HA/TCP-β nas proporções: 80/20, 20/80, 70/30 e 30/70. Foram utilizadas 08 ovelhas mestiças Texel, com 12 meses de idade e peso médio de 30 kg (±5 kg), nas quais foram produzidos três defeitos ósseos em cada tíbia, sendo que quatro desses defeitos foram preenchidos por biomateriais, e dois por fragmentos ósseos (autoenxerto), grupo controle. Os animais foram eutanasiados aos 03 meses após a implantação dos biomateriais. Após a eutanásia, foram coletadas as tíbias para avaliação com o uso da técnica de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Os resultados encontrados mostram que os biomateriais granulados microporosos são formados por uma morfologia irregular com tamanho de grânulos entre 200 μm e 500μm, outra constatação foi microestrutura microporosa interconectada dos biomateriais. O resultado obtido da porosidade aberta mostrou que os biomateriais apresentam porosidade superior a 68%. A densidade teórica se apresentou semelhante entre os biomateriais granulados de fosfatos de cálcio e sugerem boa capacidade de neoformação óssea para todos os biomateriais, sendo que o bifásico 20/80 apresentou absorção do biomaterial e neoformação óssea mais rápida quando comparada com os outros biomateriais avaliados neste estudo.

A new heterologous fibrin sealant as scaffold to recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and natural latex proteins for the repair of tibial bone defects

Tissue engineering has special interest in bone tissue aiming at future medical applications Studies have focused on recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and natural latex proteins due to the osteogenic properties of rhBMP-2 and the angiogenic characteristic of fraction 1 protein (P-1) extracted from the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis. Furthermore, heterologous fibrin sealant (FS) has been shown as a promising alternative in regenerative therapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate these substances for the repair of bone defects in rats. A bone defect measuring 3mm in diameter was created in the proximal metaphysis of the left tibia of 60 rats and was implanted with rhBMP-2 or P-1 in combination with a new heterologous FS derived from snake venom. The animals were divided into six groups: control (unfilled bone defect), rhBMP-2 (defect filled with 5μg rhBMP-2), P-1 (defect filled with 5μg P-1), FS (defect filled with 8μg FS), FS/rhBMP-2 (defect filled with 8μg FS and 5μg rhBMP-2), FS/P-1 (defect filled with 8μg FS and 5μg P-1). The animals were sacrificed 2 and 6 weeks after surgery. The newly formed bone projected from the margins of the original bone and exhibited trabecular morphology and a disorganized arrangement of osteocyte lacunae. Immunohistochemical analysis showed intense expression of osteocalcin in all groups. Histometric analysis revealed a significant difference in all groups after 2 weeks (p<0.05), except for the rhBMP-2 and FS/rhBMP-2 groups (p>0.05). A statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in all groups after 6 weeks in relation to the volume of newly formed bone in the surgical area. In conclusion, the new heterologous fibrin sealant was found to be biocompatible and the combination with rhBMP-2 showed the highest osteogenic and osteoconductive capacity for bone healing. These findings suggest a promising application of this combination in the regeneration surgery.

Characterization of Three Calcium Phosphate Microporous Granulated Bioceramics

The calcium phosphate microporous bioceramics, and hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) biphasic compositions, in the granular form of microporous biomaterials, are research themes and present potential biomedical applications in rebuilding and repairing maxillofacial bone and tooth structure and in orthopedic applications. This is associated with microstructural characteristics of biocompatibility and bioactivity and osteoconductivity properties that these biomaterials offer when appliedin vivoor in simulated environment. Another differential point of these biomaterials is the solubilization capacity that they present when applied in the biological environment. These compositions of calcium phosphates (hydroxyapatite matrix and/or β-tricalcium phosphate) allow for the gradual release of calcium and phosphate ions for the biological environment, which are absorbed and promote the formation of new bone tissue. These materials are also promising in applications in the field of traumatology as in the repair of traumatized bone tissue and drugs controlled release and bone structure treatments. The favorable results of these biomaterials as bone reconstruction matrix and drugs controlled release are associated with crystallographic characteristics, morphology, surface and solubility that these biomaterials present when in contact with body fluids. This work aimed to describe three types of calcium phosphate microporous granulated biomaterials. The biomaterials used were provided by the Biomaterials Group from Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC and are: hydroxyapatite, β-tricalcium phosphate and biphasic composition 60% hydroxyapatite/40% β-tricalcium phosphate. The Scanning Electron Microscopy technique (SEM) was used for carrying out the morphological characterization and microstructure studies of granulated biomaterials. The X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD) served for characterization of crystalline phases. Arthur Method was used for determining open porosity and hydrostatic density of biomaterials. The BET technique served to support determination of the surface area of microporous granulated biomaterials. The results are encouraging and show that these biomaterials present promising morphological characteristics and microporous microstructure as wettability and capillarity. These characteristics may contribute to biomaterial osteointegration by new tissue, bone formation and mineralization process.

Human osteoblast cell spreading and vinculin expression upon biomaterial surfaces

Any biomaterial implanted within the human body is influenced by the interactions that take place between its surface and the surrounding biological milieu. These interactions are known to influence the tissue interface dynamic, and thus act to emphasize the need to study cell-surface interactions as part of any biomaterial design process. The work described here investigates the relationship between human osteoblast attachment, spreading and focal contact formation on selected surfaces using immunostaining and digital image processing for vinculin, a key focal adhesion component. Our observations show that a relationship exists between levels of cell attachment, the degree of vinculin-associated plaque formation and biocompatibility. It also suggests that cell adhesion is not indicative of how supportive a substrate is to cell spreading, and that cell spreading does not correlate with focal contact formation.

Characterization and osteoblast-like cell compatibility of porous scaffolds: bovine hydroxyapatite and novel hydroxyapatite artificial bone

Three different porous scaffolds were tested. The first two were prepared by sintering bovine bone. The third scaffold was prepared using three-dimensional gel-lamination, a new rapid prototyping method, and was named as hydroxyapatite artificial bone. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed that the samples were mainly highly crystalline hydroxyapatite ceramics. Scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry measurement showed that the pores were interconnected and pore sizes ranged from several microns to hundreds of microns. Mouse osteoblast-like cells grown on the three scaffolds retained their characteristic morphology. Cell proliferation and differentiation, analyzed by methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) and alkaline phosphatase activity assays, were significantly higher on the hydroxyapatite artificial bone than on the other two scaffolds tested. All the scaffolds provided good attachment, proliferation and differentiation of bone cells. These results indicate that the scaffolds have a favorable interaction with cells, they support cell growth and functions, and therefore these scaffolds may have great potential as bone substitutes. The three-dimensional gel-lamination method is proven to be an attractive process to design and fabricate bone scaffolds with favorable properties, and therefore, has promising potential for bone repair applications.

Magnetron co-sputtered silicon-containing hydroxyapatite thin films—an in vitro study

The use of silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite (Si-HA) as a biomaterial has been reported recently. In vivo testing has shown that Si-HA promotes early bonding of the bone/implant interface. In order to extend its usage to major load-bearing applications such as artificial hip replacement implants, it has been proposed that the material could be used in the form of a coating on implant surfaces. This paper reports a preliminary study of the biocompatibility of magnetron co-sputtered silicon-containing hydroxyapatite (Si-HA) coatings on a metallic substrate. Magnetron co-sputtered Si-HA films of thickness 600 nm with a Si content of approximately 0.8 wt% were produced on titanium substrates. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the as-deposited Si-HA films were either amorphous or made up of very small crystals. The crystallinity of Si-HA films was increased after post-deposition heat treatment at 700 degrees C for 3 h, and the principal peaks were attributable to HA. The formation of nano-scale silicon-calcium phosphate precipitates was noted on the heat-treated films. In vitro cell culture has demonstrated that human osteoblast-like cells attached and grew well on all films, with the highest cell growth and signs of mineralisation observed on the heat-treated Si-HA films. In addition, many focal contacts were produced on the films and the cells had well-defined actin cytoskeletal organisation. This work shows that as-deposited and heat-treated Si-HA films have excellent bioactivity and are good candidates when rapid bone apposition is required. Furthermore, heat-treated Si-HA films have improved biostability compared to as-deposited films under physiological conditions.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of confocal laser microscopy images to study the behaviour of osteoblastic cells grown on biomaterials

The adhesion, spreading and cytoskeletal organization of osteoblastic cells seeded onto titanium and titania/hydroxyapatite composite coating (TiO2/HA) were studied using images acquired by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The fluorescence staining technique was employed to visualize actin cytoskeletal organization of cells, 2-D images were exhaustive when the cells were seeded at low density (in the first 24 h of incubation), but they were less clear when the cells proliferated and appeared stacked. Since the shareware software were not satisfactory, a new 3-D image reconstruction was developed using ordinary software and a model was obtained directly from the optical section set, in order to achieve a more realistic and faithful vision of morphological structures and to evaluate the behaviour of bone cells grown on materials. The results showed that the cells grown on titanium conform to the irregular substrate surfaces maximizing the contact between the cell membrane and the substrate and proliferate disposing close to each other. On the contrary, the osteoblasts seeded onto TiO2/HA coating develop clusters where the cells aggregated extending processes in order to establish intercellular connections. Cell aggregation is an early and critical event leading to cell differentiation and mineralization process and could be a first signal of the tendency of TiO2/HA coating to stimulate cell differentiation.