Synthesis of calcium phosphate-zirconia scaffold and human endometrial adult stem cells for bone tissue engineering

To address the hypothesis that using a zirconia (ZrO2)/ -tricalcium phosphate (-TCP) composite might improve both the mechanical properties and cellular compatibility of the porous material, we fabricated ZrO2/-TCP composite scaffolds with different ZrO2/-TCP ratios, and evaluated their physical and mechanical characteristics, also the effect of three-dimensional (3D) culture (ZrO2/-TCP scaffold) on the behavior of human endometrial stem cells. Results showed the porosity of a ZrO2/-TCP scaffold can be adjusted from 65% to 84%, and the compressive strength of the scaffold increased from 4.95 to 6.25 MPa when the ZrO2 content increased from 30 to 50 wt%. The cell adhesion and proliferation in the ZrO2/-TCP scaffold was greatly improved when ZrO2 decreased. Moreover, in vitro study showed that an osteoblasts-loaded ZrO2/-TCP scaffold provided a suitable 3D environment for osteoblast survival and enhanced bone regeneration. We thus showed that a porous ZrO2/-TCP composite scaffold has excellent mechanical properties, and cellular/tissue compatibility, and would be a promising substrate to achieve both bone reconstruction and regeneration needed during in vivo study for treatment of large bone defects.