Nodule formation and mineralisation of human primary osteoblasts cultured on a porous bioactive glass scaffold

The aim of this study was to analyse human osteoblast responses to a porous bioactive glass scaffold. It was hypothesised that osteoblasts would attach, proliferate and form mineralised nodules in response to culture on the bioactive glass. As dissolution products are a key feature of bioactive glasses, this was measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy to determine effects of both the glass surface and ion release. Osteoblasts attached and proliferated on the foams as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy. Nodule formation was also observed in the pores of the glass and also in conditioned medium containing dissolution products at certain concentrations and these nodules were shown to be mineralised by alizarin red staining. Undiluted dissolution products from the foams however caused significant apoptosis suggesting an ion concentration dependent response.