Proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and distribution of rat bone marrow stromal cells in nonwoven fabrics by different culture methods

The proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and distribution patterns of stromal cells from rat bone marrow were investigated in a three-dimensional nonwoven fabric of polyethylene terephthalate fiber by the static, agitated, and stirred culture methods; stirring speeds were 10, 50, and 100 rpm in the stirred culture method. The culture method affected the time profile of proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of cells or their distribution in the fabric. The extent of cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation became higher in order of the stirred at 100 rpm = the stirred at 50 rpm > the stirred at 10 rpm > the agitated > the static methods. In addition, the cells were more uniformly proliferated in the fabric by the stirred culture method with time than they were proliferated in the fabric by other methods. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium content were higher for cells cultured by the stirred culture method than those cultured by other methods. The total ALP activity, calcium content, and bone mineral density were higher for every stirred method than those for other methods. However, the distribution uniformity of cells differentiated was low irrespective of the culture method. It is concluded that the extent of proliferation and differentiation of cells or their distribution uniformity in the nonwoven fabrics was influenced by the culture method.