Hydroxyapatite-collagen (HA/Col) composites are potential scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. In this work, three-dimensional (3-D) HA/Col (50/50 wt. (%)) scaffolds were synthesized using a self-assembly method and cross-linked with a 0.125% glutaraldehyde solution. Scaffolds were evaluated in vitro by cytotoxicity testing using MC3T3 cells; proliferation and differentiation were studied using STRO-1A human stromal cells for up to 21 days. Morphological and histological examinations showed a fibrous structure with a good distribution and homogeneous HA particles distribution. By thermogravimetric analysis, a ratio of 1.2 between inorganic and organic phase was found. The scaffolds presented no cytotoxicity when evaluated using three different parameters of cell survival and integrity: 2,3-bis[2-methyloxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl] -2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT), Neutral Red (NR) and Crystal Violet Dye Elution (CVDE). STRO-1A cells were found to adhere, proliferate and differentiate on the 3-D scaffold, but limited cell penetration was observed.
biomaterials; tissues engineering; hydroxyapatite; collagen; cell culture; scaffolds
