The surface characteristics of bioceramics are critical in modulating the cellular events in osteogenesis. However, understanding on the effect of surface properties-derived inflammation on osteogenesis is unclear. In this study, dense biphase calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramics with various surface micropatterns were fabricated to investigate the effect of surface morphologies on the behaviors and functions of macrophages, and the subsequent cascade regulation on the osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblast. We found that the change of surface roughness and wettability of single convex in micropatterns with different sizes could make dramatic differences on the adherence, distribution and morphology of macrophages. Specifically, the patterned surface with smaller single convex area was more likely to drive macrophages towards M1-like phenotype, as was determined by the upregulated gene expression and molecular secretion of M1-specific markers compared with flat surface. Moreover, the macrophages/scaffolds-derived medium showed an obvious promotion on osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells that suggested the surface characteristics of BCP ceramics are important in terms of scaffolds-induced inflammation, which might contribute to its osteogenesis potential.
Keywords: BCP ceramics; Inflammation; Macrophages; Osteogenesis; Surface micropattern.
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