Effects of the surface modification of poly(amino acid)/hydroxyapatite/calcium sulfate biocomposites on the adhesion and proliferation of osteoblast-like cells

Abstract

In this study, we focused on the surface modification of a novel poly(amino acid) (PAA)/hydroxyapatite/calcium sulfate composite and the effect of its surface modification on cellular responses. The surface modification was performed by sandblasting (sample S2), calcium chloride ethanol saturated solution etching (sample S3), and formic acid etching (sample S4) followed by in vitro culturing of osteoblast-like cells. The obtained results indicate that a new interface of the composite was formed during the modification, and the modified surface was changed with respect to its surface morphology by physical abrasion. The calcium chloride ethanol saturated solution etchant etched PAA selectively whereas forming rich calcium-phosphate (Ca-P) apatite on the surface of S3. The formic acid etchant attacked the inorganic component without changing the PAA state. Cell attachment and cell proliferation were improved by the treatments of S2 and S3 in comparison with no treatment and the treatment of S4