1 Electromagnetically Stimulated SAOS-2 Osteoblasts inside a Porous Hy- droxyapatite Scaffold in Vitro

Abstract: Several studies suggest that the modification of a biomaterial surface play an important role in bone tissue engineering. In this study we have followed a biomimetic strategy where electromagnetically stimulated SAOS-2 osteoblasts, from a human osteosarcoma cell line, proliferated and built their extracellular ma-trix inside a porous hydroxyapatite scaffold. In comparison with control static conditions, the electromagnetic stimulus (magnetic field, 2 mT; frequency, 75 Hz) increased the cell proliferation and the production of bone proteins (decorin, os-teocalcin, osteopontin, type-I collagen, and type-III collagen), with a consequent surface coating of the scaffold. The physical stimulus was aimed at obtaining a biomimetic modification of the internal porous surface of the hydroxyapatite scaf-fold. The cell-biomaterial construct could be used as an implant for bone repair in clinical applications. 1