Objectives: The aim of this research was to determine the biocompatibility of HA-containing scaffolds and their ability to support maintenance of the osteoblast phenotype in vitro.
Methods: Human osteosarcoma cell line G292 was cultured in basal medium in the presence of Gengigel® (a commercially available HA product) at concentrations of 0.2% and 0.6% for up to 8 weeks. Cell viability was determined using conventional histology and live-dead staining. Maintenance of cell phenotype was assessed based upon cell adhesion, spreading, alkaline phosphatase activity and presence of mineralised deposits within the culture medium.
Results: Maintenance of osteoblast phenotype was observed throughout the culture period when G292 cells were cultured at lower gel concentrations. However, significant phenotypic changes were observed at the higher gel concentrations after 3 weeks in culture.
Conclusions: The results suggest that HA scaffolds are candidate materials for use as biocompatible, injectable scaffolds for the delivery and maintenance of live cells during skeletal tissue engineering applications following suitable optimisation of concentration. The ability of HA to promote cell differentiation and its biodegradability also opens up possibilities for using HA based scaffolds in stem cell delivery and for therapeutic release of bioactives.