In vitro formation of human autologous osteoblast like-cells on natural bone mineral

Different methods are available for the treatment of osseous defects. In re cent years the use of autologous bone was established as the golden standar d. However, significant disadvantages are limited availability of the bone graft and its harvest implies additional morbidity for the patient. Alterna tives to the use of autologous bone, as allogeneic bone from bone banks or biomaterials like hydroxyapatite are therefore of special interest. However , the currently available methods have severe disadvantages; allogenic bone carries a high risk of transmitting infectious diseases, most biomaterials show an unsatisfying osseous integration as well as prolonged healing with disability for the patient. Therefore, the aim has to be the development o f a biomaterial that is as close as possible to human bone. In this in vitr o study the natural bone mineral Bio-Oss(R)/Orthos(R) was used as a matrix for human osteoblast like cells isolated from bone marrow of healthy patien ts. Even after three months the cell showed typical osteblast-like behaviou r. Histologic evaluation demonstrated the ability of Bio-Oss(R)/Orthos(R) t o guide cell growth within its matrix structure and therefore mimics in viv o situation of the healthy bone. The results show that culturing human oste oblast-like cells under standardised conditions is possible and that the co mbination of human osteoblast-like cell with an appropriate matrix may have the potential for a new treatment option of osseous defects.