Influence of static and dynamic topography on osteoblast proliferation and maturation

Abstract

Osseointegration remains a primary concern for implanted devices in patients with risk factors such as diabetes, smoking, age, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Current use of titanium alloys, while successful, comes at a high cost. Cheaper alternatives may exist with polymers for some non-load bearing applications. Advancements in polymer chemistry have yielded a class of smart materials called shape-memory polymers (SMPs), which can change their shape via changes in temperature or mechanical stress. This study follows the creation of one such temperature-sensitive SMP, benzyl acrylate-benzyl methacrylate-1,12-dodecanediol dimethacrylate, which can be compressed to remove all surface topography and at 37˚C shows nearly complete recovery within 8 hours. The examination of pre-osteoblast MG63 cell behavior on these SMPs (with and without compression) by DNA and ELISAs indicates MG63 cells can be 'clued' to proliferate and then to rapidly mature. Similar topography was created on polymers of varied stiffness to determine if there is correlation between substrate stiffness and topography on osteoblast maturation. Overall, this thesis gives insight into potential benefits of SMP use in biomedical applications. In addition, it demonstrates the potential issues concerning the use of polymers to achieve a desires cell response.