Preliminary studies on the phenomenological behaviour of osteoblasts cultured on hydroxyapatite ceramics.

SEM was used to investigate the phenomenological behaviour of osteoblasts towards sintered hydroxyapatite. The osteoblasts were seeded on to porous and dense hydroxyapatite and cultured for 4 to 28 d. They attached and adhered on to the hydroxyapatite surfaces, proliferated and secreted extracellular matrix. No signs of toxicity embarrassment were apparent. It is argued that cell phenomenology seems to be a prerequisite to morphogenesis, and on this premise it is speculated that surface-reactive bone replacement materials owe their compatibility to the ability of their surfaces to interact favourably with the peptides involved in osteomorphogenesis and bone repair.