Biomimetic modification of porous TiNbZr alloy scaffold for bone tissue engineering

Tissue Eng Part A. 2010 Jan;16(1):309-16. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEA.2009.0074.

Abstract

Porous titanium (Ti) and Ti alloys are important scaffold materials for bone tissue engineering. In the present study, a new type of porous Ti alloy scaffold with biocompatible alloying elements, that is, niobium (Nb) and zirconium (Zr), was prepared by a space-holder sintering method. This porous TiNbZr scaffold with a porosity of 69% exhibits a mechanical strength of 67 MPa and an elastic modulus of 3.9 GPa, resembling the mechanical properties of cortical bone. To improve the osteoconductivity, a calcium phosphate (Ca/P) coating was applied to the surface of the scaffold using a biomimetic method. The biocompatibility of the porous TiNbZr alloy scaffold before and after the biomimetic modification was assessed using the SaOS2 osteoblast-like cells. Cell culture results indicated that the porous TiNbZr scaffold is more favorable for cell adhesion and proliferation than its solid counterpart. By applying a Ca/P coating, the cell proliferation rate on the Ca/P-coated scaffold was significantly improved. The results suggest that high-strength porous TiNbZr scaffolds with an appropriate osteoconductive coating could be potentially used for bone tissue engineering application.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alloys*
  • Biomimetic Materials*
  • Bone Substitutes*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Niobium*
  • Porosity
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Zirconium*

Substances

  • Alloys
  • Bone Substitutes
  • Niobium
  • Zirconium