Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate human osteoblast activity on thin hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated three-dimensional scaffolds made of titanium fiber web.
Materials and methods: A thin HA film was coated on a titanium fiber web by the molecular precursor method. Human osteoblasts were disseminated onto the uncoated and HA-coated titanium fiber web, and osteoblast activity was observed at days 3, 7, 14, and 21 of culture.
Results: Proliferation activities of osteoblasts were significantly higher in the uncoated titanium fiber web. Osteoblasts in the uncoated titanium fiber web showed a typical expression pattern, but those in the HA-coated titanium fiber web showed rapid osteocalcin expression and calcification at an early stage of culture. Moreover, osteocalcin expression per osteoblast was significantly higher in the HA-coated group.
Conclusion: These results suggest that HA coating with the molecular precursor method accelerated osteoblast functional activity.