βTCP/Collagen Sponge Composite Enhances the Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

For the bone regeneration, tissue engineering approach combines cells capable of osteogenic activity with an appropriate scaffold. We developed a biodegradable sponge composite (b-TCP/CS) by combining â-tricalcium phosphate (â-TCP) granules and collagen. Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were cultured within b-TCP/CS scaffolds and collagen sponge (CS) scaffolds, we investigated the alkaline phosphates (ALP) activity and the expression of osteogenic markers using RT-PCR. Furthermore, MSCs- loaded b-TCP/CS and CS were implanted under the back skin of nude mice for 4 and 12 weeks, and then removed for histological evaluation of bone formation. In vitro studies demonstrated that b-TCP/CS with MSCs of the ALP activity and the expression of osteogenic markers was higher than CS. In vivo, no bone formation was observed in CS, but newly bone formation was observed around â-TCP granules of b-TCP/CS. These results suggest that b-TCP/CS composites enhance the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and new bone formation.