Human bone marrow cell culture: A sensitive method for determination of the biocompatibility of implant materials

The objective of this study was to develop a test method for determining th e cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of various biomaterials that are used i n orthopaedic surgery. This method is based on the use of a human bone marr ow cell culture and was developed as an alternative to animal experiments. Human bone marrow cell culture has certain advantages over other cell cultu re models, as its results show a greater conformity with animal experimenta l results and clinical studies. Primary cell adherence, cell number, cell p roliferation, production of extracellular matrix, cell viability and cell d ifferentiation were used as indicative parameters of biocompatibility. Afte r 2 weeks in culture, differences could be observed between the biomaterial s with respect to these parameters. Cell numbers were greatest on the hydro xyapatite ceramic specimens, but were decreased on the titanium alloy speci mens. Extracellular matrix hydroxyapatite production was high for ceramics, but reduced for titanium specimens. The polymers allowed only a few cells to adhere, and there were no signs of extracellular matrix production. The influence of biomaterials on differentiation of large numbers of cells was analysed by using flow cytophotometry. There were similar populations of T cells and monocytes on all specimens. However, extended B cell and granuloc yte populations were observed with titanium and polyethylene.