Cellular compatibility of magnetic nanocomposites.

Objective: To study the cellular compatibility of the magnetic nanocomposite (n-HA/PLLA/Fe2O3) and to discuss the biological behaviors of cells including surface adhesion, proliferation, and expression. The present work provides an experimental basis for medical application.

Method: Rat osteoblasts (OB) were co-cultured with the magnetic nanocomposite. Cell proliferation, cell adhesion, and the expression of type I collagen (Col-I) and osteocalcin (OCN) gene were characterized by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively.

Results: CCK-8 detection showed that there was no difference in cell proliferation on the magnetic nanocomposite between the experimental group and control group (P > 0.05). SEM indicated that a large amount of cells adhered to the surface and in the pores of the magnetic nanocomposite. As the co-culture time increased, the cells adhering to the magnetic nanocomposite showed an obvious increase. RT-PCR detection showed that as the co-culture time increased, the expression of the Col-I gene was enhanced (P 0.05). There was no obvious difference in the expression of the OCN gene (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: The magnetic nanocomposite is suitable for cell adhesion, growth, and differentiation with a high cellular compatibility.