Role of phase separation on the biological performance of 45S5 Bioglass

We analyzed the biological performance of spinodally and droplet-type phase-separated 45S5 Bioglass® generated by quenching the melt from different equilibrium temperatures. MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells attached more efficiently to 45S5 Bioglass® with spinodal than to the one with droplet morphology, providing the first demonstration of the role of micro-/nano-scale on the bioactivity of Bioglass®. Upon exposure to biological solutions, phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and cell culture medium (α-MEM), a layer of hydroxyapatite (HA) formed on both glass morphologies. Although both Bioglass® varieties were incubated under identical conditions, and physico-chemical characteristics of the HA layers were similar, the adsorption magnitude of a model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA, an abundant blood serum component) and its β-sheet/β-turn ratio and α-helix content were significantly higher on spinodal than droplet type Bioglass®. These results indicate that: (i) a protein layer quickly adsorbs on the surface of 45S5 Bioglass® varieties (with or without HA layer), (ii) the amount and the conformation of adsorbed proteins are guided by the glass micro-/nano-structure, and (iii) cell attachment and proliferation are influenced by the concentration and the conformation of attached proteins with a significantly better cell adhesion to spinodal type 45S5 Bioglass® substrate. Taken together, our results indicate that the biological performance of 45S5 Bioglass® can be improved further with a relatively simple, inexpensive fabrication procedure that provides a superior glass micro-/nano-structure. A simple modification to the fabrication procedure of classic 45S5 Bioglass® generates spinodal (A(a)) and droplet (A(b)) varieties and has a significant impact on protein adsorption (B) and cell adhesion (C).