Phosphatidylethanolamine biomimetic coating increases mesenchymal stem cell osteoblastogenesis

Previous observations (e.g., decreased bacterial adhesion) have shed the light on the auspicious possibility to use phosphatidylethanolamine as biomimetic coating for metal implants. Additionally, it was experimentally shown that phosphatidylethanolamine induces bone formation, however, up to now no study was performed to understand this observation or to find an explanation. In an attempt to unveil how and why phosphatidylethanolamine can improve cell metabolism and osteogenic differentiation, primary cells (human umbilical cord perivascular cells) were cultured on native or phosphatidylethanolamine coated surfaces. Several parameters were followed on gene (real time polymerase chain reaction) and protein (e.g., dot-blot and ELISA tests) levels. It was determined that phosphatidylethanolamine potentiates cell metabolism, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralisation early processes. By preventing biofilm formation while promoting new bone formation, phosphatidylethanolamine could be easily implemented as implant bio-mimicking coating.