Morphology, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells cultured on titanium, tantalum, and chromium surfaces

Metallic implants are widely used in orthopedic surgery and dentistry. Durable osseous fixation of an implant requires that osteoprogenitor cells attach and adhere to the implant, proliferate, differentiate into osteoblasts, and produce mineralized matrix. In the present study, we investigated the interactions between human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and smooth surfaces of titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), and chromium (Cr). Mean cellular area was quantified using fluorescence microscopy (4 h). Cellular proliferation was assessed by 3H‐thymidine incorporation and methylene blue cell counting assays (4 days). Osteogenic differentiation response was quantified by cell‐specific alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) assay (4 days), expression analysis of bone‐related genes (4 days), and mineralization assay (21 days). Undifferentiated and osteogenically stimulated MSCs cultured on the different surfaces showed the same tendencies for proliferation and differentiation. MSCs exposed to Ti surfaces demonstrated enhanced proliferation compared with Ta and Cr surfaces. Cultivation of MSCs on Ta surfaces resulted in significantly increased mean cellular area and cell‐specific ALP activity compared with the other surfaces tested. Cells cultured on Cr demonstrated reduced spreading and proliferation. In conclusion, Ta metal, as an alternative for Ti, can be considered as a promising biocompatible material, whereas further studies are needed to fully understand the role of Cr and its alloys in bone implants. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008