POLYSULFONE INHIBITS FINAL DIFFERENTIATION STEPS OF OSTEOGENESIS IN-VITRO

Biocompatibility is an important factor in the development of orthoped ic implants as well as in the development of new tissue culture device s. Polysulphone has been used for orthopedic implants because of its m echanical properties, ease of sterilization, molding capacity, and bio compatibility. Therefore, polysulphone has been chosen as the prime ma terial for the construction of tissue culture devices to be used for t he cultivation of osteogenic cells (preosteoblast-like MN7 cells and p rimary bone marrow fragments), as well as complete fetal long bone exp lants under space flight conditions. Whereas polysulphone did not inte rfere with the proliferation in early stages of bone-forming cells, we show that leachable factors within the polysulphone polymer prevented the final steps of matrix formation as measured by collagen synthesis and matrix mineralization. These data argue against polysulphone as a material for orthopedic implants. (C) 1995 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.