Uptake of calcium phosphate nanoshells by osteoblasts and their effect on growth and differentiation

• Published in: Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A Vol. 87A; no. 2; pp. 418 - 428
• Main Authors: Schmidt, Stephanie M., Moran, Kathleen A., Tweed Kent, Ailis M., Slosar, Jenalle L., Webber, Matthew J., McCready, Mark J., Deering, Cassandra, Veranth, John M., Ostafin, Agnes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.11.2008
• Subjects: Alkaline Phosphatase - metabolism; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biocompatible Materials - metabolism; Biological Transport - physiology; bone; calcium phosphate; Calcium Phosphates - chemistry; Calcium Phosphates - metabolism; Cell Differentiation - physiology; Cell Line; Fetus - cytology; Humans; Materials Testing; nanoparticle; Nanoparticles - chemistry; nanoshells; osteoblast; Osteoblasts - cytology; Osteoblasts - physiology
• ISSN: 1549-3296; 1552-4965
• DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.31761

The influence of calcium phosphate nanoshell materials on the uptake, viability, and mineralization of human fetal osteoblast cultures was evaluated. Proliferation rates and alkaline phosphatase activity of the cultures were unaffected by the addition of nanoshells to the growth media, but mineralization levels were enhanced by nearly 40%, in contrast to media prepared without nanoshells, or with other calcium phosphate nanomaterials. Nanoshells were internalized by macropinocytosis, and migrated toward the cell nucleus at a rate of 0.34 μm hr−1. Dye‐loaded nanoshells maintained high light emission intensity for over five days while inside the cells, where they could be used as intracellular markers for in vitro microscopic imaging. From these results, it appears that the CaP nanoshells could be developed into a safe sensor and delivery vehicle for osteoblast cell culture studies, whereas the carrier itself has intrinsic bioactivity and may itself upregulate the formation of new bone. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008