In vitro bone formation by human marrow cell culture on the surface of zinc-releasing calcium phosphate ceramics

We examined the effect of zinc on the osteogenic differentiation of cultured human marrow cells on the surface of zinc-releasing TCP /HAP (Zn-TCP/HAP) ceramics in the shape of a disk. Three ml of human bone marrow harvested from the ilium was cultured in a medium containing 15% fetal bovine serum to reach confluent. After trypsinization, the cells were seeded at 20 x 10 super(3) cells/16 mm phi on Falcon tissue wells with the ceramic disks (TCP/HAP containing 0, 0.32, 0.42, 0.63, 0.88 and 1.26 wt% Zn). After 2 weeks of subculture in the presence of beta -glycerophosphate, vitamin C phosphate, and dexamethasone (Dex), the cells were stained for alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The ALP stain was strengthened as zinc content of the disk increased. The data demonstrated that Zn-TCP /HAP influenced cell differentiation in human marrow cell culture and resulted in high osteoblastic activity. Furthermore, ALP activities of the cell layer significantly increased depending on zinc content of the disk in the presence of Dex. These results indicate that the surface of Zn-TCP/HAP stimulates osteogenic differentiation in human cultured marrow cells as well as in rat ones. Thus, Zn-TCP/HAP ceramics are expected to be useful materials for bone reconstructive surgery.