Incorporation of human osteoblast cells and osteoblast-like cells into porous hydroxyapatite scaffolds

The object of this study was to investigate methods of seeding cells onto porous hydroxyapatite granules with the aim of optimising cell attachment. Two cells types were used; an osteosarcoma cell line, MG63, and human osteoblasts (HOBs) isolated from trabecular bone. Several conditions were investigated to determine their effect on cell attachment. These included varying the initial seeding concentration, pre-adsorption of the granules with the adhesion protein fibronectin and the use of mechanical agitation. Human osteoblasts and MG63 osteosarcoma cells attached to both dense and porous HA granules but with a low seeding efficiency while seeding was not significantly improved by pre-coating scaffolds with fibronectin or by introducing fluid flow.