Osteoblasts and MG-63 osteosarcoma cells behave differently when in contact with ProRoot™ MTA and White MTA

• Published in: International endodontic journal Vol. 36; no. 8; pp. 564 - 570
• Main Authors: Pérez, A. L., Spears, R., Gutmann, J. L., Opperman, L. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science, Ltd 01.08.2003
• Subjects: Aluminum Compounds - pharmacology; Animals; Calcium Compounds - pharmacology; Cell Adhesion; Dentistry; Drug Combinations; Humans; Materials Testing; MG-63 osteosarcoma cells; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; mineral trioxide aggregate; osteoblasts; Osteoblasts - drug effects; Osteogenesis - drug effects; Osteosarcoma; Oxides - pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Root Canal Filling Materials - pharmacology; Silicates - pharmacology; Tumor Cells, Cultured - drug effects
• ISSN: 0143-2885; 1365-2591
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2591.2003.00691.x

Aim  To test the hypothesis that MG‐63 osteosarcoma cells and primary osteoblasts react differently to ProRoot™ MTA (mineral trioxide aggregate) and White MTA by: (i) investigating the attachment of primary osteoblasts and MG‐63 osteosarcoma cells to ProRoot™ MTA and White MTA; and (ii) comparing the osteogenic behaviour of both cell lines in contact with these endodontic materials. Methodology  Primary osteoblasts were harvested from foetal rat calvaria by sequential digestion and MG‐63 osteosarcoma cells were purchased. Cells were exposed to ProRoot™ MTA and White MTA prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions. All samples and controls were prepared in quadruplicate. After 6, 9 and 13 days exposure to MTA, the cells were fixed and prepared for SEM examination. In addition, both the cell types were grown to confluence and exposed to β‐glycerophosphate and dexamethasone to assess mineralized nodule formation as a function of osteogenic behaviour. Results  The number of cells on the surface of the culture dish and on top of the materials increased in all samples throughout the 3 time periods, except for White MTA where no primary osteoblasts were visible on top of the material by the end of 13 days. After exposing cells to differentiation medium nodules were observed in cultures of primary osteoblasts, but not of MG‐63 osteosarcoma cells. Conclusions  Under the conditions of this study, whilst primary osteoblasts initially bound to White MTA, they did not survive on the surface by the end of 13 days. Primary osteoblasts formed mineralized nodules when exposed to differentiation medium, whilst MG‐63 cells did not form nodules. As MG‐63 cells do not behave osteogenically by forming mineralized nodules, and primary osteoblasts are more sensitive than MG‐63 osteosarcoma cells to White MTA in cell culture, primary osteoblasts are more appropriate than MG‐63 cells for testing endodontic materials in cell culture.