Cell-synthesized 3D Environment is a Potent Osteoblastic Inducer

Introduction For bone tissue engineering various scaffolds may be used, among which hydroxyapatite and tri-calcium phosphate (HA-TCP) ceramics are good candidates. Previous investigations have shown that human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) seeded on small HA-TCP particles could form three dimensional (3D) constructs beneficial for osteoblastic differentiation in vitro [1]. However, within these constructs, the source of differentiation, between particles properties and cell-synthesized 3D environment, is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relative effect of the synthesized 3D environment on hMSCs differentiation. Accordingly, smooth and inert glass beads (GB) were used to prepare 3D constructs. The resulting effect on hMSCs differentiation was monitored. and compared to plastic culture and HA-TCP particles by using metabolic assays and real time PCR.