Osteoblast MC3T3-E1 culture on a fast-setting carbonated hydroxyapatite bone-like material

Using ultra-fine grain technology, a fast-setting type of carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) material from Ca3(PO4)2·3H2O (ACP), CaCO3, Ca(H2PO4)2 (MCPA) and Na3PO4 was prepared. The ultra-fine particles (3 m) shortens the setting time, to form bone like material with 5.2wt% carbonation. Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured with CHA material to observe cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. There were no obvious differences in adhesion and proliferation rate of MC3T3-E1 cells between the CHA and the control group. MC3T3-E1 cells on the surface of CHA observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of the cells on the CHA was higher than the control, and collagen I (COL 1) mRNA expressed on the CHA was also significantly higher than the control. This CHA bone material exhibited biocompatibility and osteo-conductive properties that are sought for bone repair and scaffolding for tissue engineering. *Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.