In the trail of a new bio-sensor for measuring strain in bone: Osteoblastic biocompatibility

• Published in: Biosensors & bioelectronics Vol. 26; no. 10; pp. 4046 - 4052
• Main Authors: Carvalho, Lídia, Alberto, Nélia J., Gomes, Pedro S., Nogueira, Rogério N., Pinto, João L., Fernandes, Maria H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 15.06.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alkaline Phosphatase - genetics; Base Sequence; Biocompatibility; Biocompatible Materials; Biological and medical sciences; Biomechanical Phenomena; Biosensing Techniques - instrumentation; Biosensing Techniques - methods; Biosensors; Biotechnology; Bone; Bone and Bones - cytology; Bone and Bones - physiology; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 - genetics; Cell Adhesion; Cell Line; Cell Proliferation; Coated Materials, Biocompatible; Collagen Type I - genetics; Fibre Bragg Grating; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression; Humans; Materials Testing; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Optical Fibers; Osteoblasts; Osteoblasts - physiology; RNA - genetics; RNA - metabolism; Various methods and equipments; Biocompatibility; Bone; Biosensors; Osteoblasts; Fibre Bragg Grating; Detector; Biosensor; Osteoblast
• ISSN: 0956-5663; 1873-4235
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2011.03.028

Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) is an optical sensor recorded within the core of a standard optical fibre, which responds faithfully to strain and temperature. FBG sensors are a promising alternative to other sensing methodologies to assess bone mechanics in vivo. However, response of bone cells/bone tissue to FBGs and its sensing capability in this environment have not been recorded yet. The present study addressed these issues in long-term human osteoblastic cell cultures. Results showed that osteoblastic cells were able to adhere and proliferate over the fibre and, also, the protective polymer coating. RT-PCR analysis showed the expression of Col I, ALP, BMP-2, M-CSF, RANKL and OPG. In addition, cultures presented high ALP activity and the formation of a calcium phosphate mineralized extracellular matrix. Cell behavior over the fibre without and with the coating polymer was similar to that found in cultures grown in standard tissue culture plates (control). In addition to the excellent osteoblastic cytocompatibility, FBGs maintained the physical integrity and functionality, as its sensing capability was not affected through the culture period. Results suggest the possibility of in vivo osseointegration of the optical fibre/FBGs anticipating a variety of applications in bone mechanical dynamics.