In Vitro Osteogenic Activity of Rat Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cultured on Transparent Hydroxyapatite Ceramics

Direct observation of cultured cells on various materials has benefit for assessment of fundamental cellular functions including cell attachment, spreading, proliferation and differentiation on the materials. For this purpose, we made transparent hydroxyapatite (tHA) ceramics, where cultured rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) could be visible by phase contrast microscopy immediately after plating. The seeded rMSCs adhered and proliferated on the tHA ceramics. Furtheremore, the cells cultured on the tHA ceramics were able to differentiate into osteoblasts under osteogenic conditions and showed comparable osteogenic activity to the cells cultured on tissue culture polystyrene dishes. The results suggested that cultured cells could be monitored in a time dependent manner using the tHA ceramics.