Proliferation and mineralization of bone marrow cells cultured on macroporous hydroxyapatite scaffolds functionalized with collagen type I for bone tissue regeneration.

This study concerns the preparation and in vitro characterization of functionalized hydroxyapatite (HA) porous scaffolds, which are intended to be used as drug-delivery systems and bone-regeneration matrices. Hydroxyapatite scaffolds were prepared using the polymer replication method, and, after being submitted to a specific sintering cycle, collagen Type I was incorporated on the surface. After the coating procedure, collagen was crosslinked using the N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) conjugation method. In this study, hydroxyapatite scaffolds with uncrosslinked and crosslinked Type I collagen were evaluated. Cell morphology and deposition of extracellular matrix were assessed by scanning electron microscopy, whereas cell distribution was visualized by means of methylene blue staining. MTS and total DNA quantification assays were used to evaluate the viability and proliferation of human bone marrow cells cultured on all the materials for 28 days. Results showed that the cells were able to adhere, proliferate, and form a mineralized matrix on the surface of all the materials. Furthermore, the cells were able to spread from one pore to another and form cell clusters. The results show that these scaffolds are good candidates to serve as drug delivery vehicles and for tissue engineering purposes.