ENHANCED CELL ATTACHMENT TO ANORGANIC BONE-MINERAL IN THE PRESENCE OFA SYNTHETIC PEPTIDE RELATED TO COLLAGEN

We have examined the ability of a synthetic 15-residue peptide, P-15, related to a biologically active domain of type I collagen, to promote attachment of human dermal fibroblasts to anorganic bovine bone miner al (ABM) phase. The attachment of cells increased with increasing cont ent of P-15 on the surface of ABM particles, as seen by the increased binding of radiolabeled cells, and by light microscopy and scanning el ectron microscopy. Incorporation of radioactive precursors of DNA and protein synthesis showed that cells on P-15-coated ABM synthesized ove r twofold the amount of DNA and protein than did cells on uncoated ABM . Fibroblasts attached to ABM in the presence of P-15 formed three-dim ensional colonies. Cellular bridges formed between adjacent particles which aggregated in clusters with tissuelike structure. Cultures on AB M. P-15 stained for alkaline phosphatase. These observations suggest t hat P-15-coated ABM may be a useful matrix for bone repair. (C) 1996 J ohn Wiley & Sons, Inc.