Papers by Author: Suk Young Kim

Abstract: A collagen material was chemically grafted on hydroxyapatite (HA) to enhance bone cell attachment because the collagen is a major constituent of connective tissues and has been regarded as one of the most excellent coating materials for bone bonding. First, HA disks were prepared with 12mm diameter and 1mm thickness. And then collagen (type I) was immobilbized on the HA surface using a 3-APTES coupling agent on HA disk surfaces. MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts were seeded on the collagen-grafted and non-grated HA disks and cultured for 4 hrs to evaluate the cell adhesion on the HA discs. The Attached cell morphology on discs was observed with a fluorescent optical microscopy (FOM) and a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The osteoblasts on the collagen-grafted sample were more spread than those on the non-grafted sample. It is believed that collagen-grafted HA surface provides suitable sites for cell attaching due to the high biocompatibility of collagen.

Abstract: To develop a suitable scaffold for tissue-engineered bone regeneration, we compared the efficiency of tissue-engineered bone regeneration according to the porous structure of calcium metaphosphate (CMP) ceramic scaffolds. Each scaffold was prepared with a sponge method and a foam-gel method, respectively. Both scaffolds, having either interconnected trabecular pores formed by the sponge method or fully interconnected globular pores formed by the foam-based technology, were not cytotoxic and elicited neither an immune nor an inflammatory response regardless of geometry and fabrication method. The fully interconnected globular porous scaffold showed more favorable compression strength and facilitated osteogenic repair by favoring cellular attachment and osteogenic differentiation with good osteoconductivity compared to the interconnected trabecular pore structured scaffold. These results suggest that the fully interconnected globular porous structure would be more suitable for both a bone substitute and scaffold for bioactive material-based or cell-based tissue bone regeneration.

Abstract: Recently, nanomaterials have received considerable attention because of their potential applications in the biomedical field. In the present study, we investigated the effects of nano-sized calcium metaphosphate (CMP) particles (50 nm) compared with micro-sized CMP particles (200-500 nm and 10 μm) on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of human bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs). BMSCs were challenged with CMP particles with different sizes for 3, 5, and 7 days. An analysis of the proliferation revealed that the nano-sized CMP particles (50 nm) stimulated the proliferation of BMSCs up to 27.79% compared to the untreated control. This stimulatory effect of the nano-sized CMP particle was dose-dependent. CMP particles appeared to adhere on the surface of BMSCs but this did not cause distinguishable morphological changes. Moreover, all CMP particles (50 nm to 10 μm) were capable of stimulating an osteoblastic differentiation of BMSCs as accessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and von Kossa stainings. Further molecular analysis revealed that all the CMP particles induced an expression of osteoblast-related genes such as osteocalcin (OC) and collagen I (Col I). Taken together, our data demonstrate that nano-sized CMP particles have the potential to stimulate the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of BMSCs.

Abstract: In order to enhance bone cell adhesion on hydroxyapatite (HA), collagen was used as a surface-grafting material on HA substrates because the collagen is a major constituent of connective tissues and has been regarded as one of the most excellent coating materials for bone bonding. First, HA disks (10mmΦ x 1mm) were prepared and then collagen was immobilbized on the HA surface using an 3-APTES coupling agent on HA disk surfaces. MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts were seeded on the collagen-grafted and non-grated HA disks and cultured in a Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum for 4 hrs to evaluate the cell adhesion on the HA samples. The osteoblasts on the collagen-grafted sample were more spread than those on the non-grafted sample. It is believed that collagen-grafted HA surface provides suitable sites for cell attaching due to the high biocompatibility of collagen

Abstract: β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) ceramic nanofibers via electrospinning route have been produced using β-TCP sol, which was prepared by the mixing of calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and triethyl phosphate as Ca sand P precursors, respectively. The as-prepared sol was tightly caped and aged in a drying oven at 90 °C for 16 hrs. The aged sol was evaporated in opened containers at 35 °C to reach a proper value of viscosity (100 cPs). Viscous solution was prepared by the mixing of β-TCP sol and high-molecular weight PVP to obtain appropriate viscosity for electrospinning. The mixed solution of β-TCP and PVP with various ratios were vigorously mixed using hot plate/stirrer for 24 hrs and then electrospun. The as-electrospun β-TCP nanofibers were dried in a drying oven at 60°C for 12 hrs and then heat-treated at 500, 600, 700 and 800 °C at 1°C/min heating rate in air. Surface morphology and phase identification of as-spun and heat-treated β-TCP nanofibers were studied. The results have shown that ratio between PVP and β-TCP sol and heat-treatment conditions significantly affected the crystalline phase and morphology of β-TCP nanofibers.

Abstract: OH groups on hydroxyapatite (HA) and calcium metaphosphate (CMP) were evaluated by grafting tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and 3-aminopropyltriethyloxysilane (3-APTES) which can bond covalently with OH group of ceramic biomaterials. The prepared HA and CMP disks were soaked in pH 2 and 5 of acidic water and ethanol solution respectively, where pH change of each solution was measured during soaking of samples. After grafting TEOS and 3-APTES on HA and CMP disks, samples were ultrasonically cleaned in distilled water and soaked in pH 5 of ethanol solution, and pH measurement was carried out in the same manner. The pH value of HA and CMP in aqueous solution at pH 2 increased with time continuously, resulting from dissolution of HA and CMP by acidic condition on surface. At pH 5 in aqueous solution, it was the same though the pH increase was smaller. In case of ethanol at pH 5 with HA, though pH value went up slightly, the curve became saturated with time, while there was no change in pH with CMP. After grafting TEOS and 3-APTES, pH values were stabilized with few changes, indicating that there was no direct chemical reaction between the acidic media and the surface of samples due to covalently grafted TEOS and 3-APTES layer. In conclusion, it was confirmed that OH group on the surface of HA was crystallographic and chemical one rather than physically adsorbed one by grafting TEOS or 3-APTES and it will serve an effective binding site for calcium and phosphate ions, or minerals.

Abstract: The adhesion of bone cells on substrate materials is generally measured by the removal torque and/or contact area between bone and implants. In this study, collagen was used as a surfacegrafting material on hydroxyapatite (HA) substrates to enhance the cell adhesion because the collagen is a major constituent of connective tissues and has been regarded as one of the most excellent coating materials for bone bonding. First, HA disks (10mmΦ x 1mm) were prepared and then collagen was immobilbized on the HA surface using an 3-APTES coupling agent to improve the adhesiveness of cells on HA disk surfaces. NIH 3T3 fibroblasts were seeded on the collagengrafted and non-grated HA disks and cultured in a Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum for 3 hrs to evaluate the cell adhesion on the HA samples. The fibroblasts on the collagen-grafted sample were more spread than those on the non-grafted sample. It is believed that collagen-grafted HA surface provides suitable sites for cell attaching due to the high biocompatibility of collagen.

Abstract: Bioresorbable calcium metaphosphate (CMP) nanofibers were produced by an electrospinning technique. In order to produce the nanofibers, CMP sol was prepared by the mixing of two precursors, such as calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (Ca[NO3]⋅4H2O) and triethyl phosphate (TEP, [C2H5O]3PO), using methyl alcohol as a solvent. The Ca/P ratio of the mixture was set to be 0.50 to produce stoichiometric CMP sol. At least 5 hrs of pre-hydrolysis of phosphorus precursor were required to obtain β-CMP phase. Viscous solutions for the electrospinning were made by the mixing of CMP sol and high-molecular weight polymeric solution at various ratios. The ratio of CMP sol and polymer solution was controlled to obtain an appropriate viscosity for the electrospinning. As-electrospun CMP nanofibers were dried in a drying oven at 70°C for 24 hrs and then heat-treated at various temperatures at a ramp of 1°C/min in air for 1hr. The as-electrospun and heat-treated CMP nanofibers were characterized using X-ray analysis, FT-IR, TG-DTA and SEM techniques. The results showed that the preparation of CMP sol, mixed solution properties, and heat-treatment condition of as-electrospun nanofibers significantly affect the spinability and surface morphology of the CMP nanofibers.

Abstract: Biphasic calcium phosphate powders (BCP) of hydroxyapatite (HA) and tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) with the various ratio of HA to β-TCP were prepared by utilizing mechanochemical synthesis. Calcium hydrogen-phosphate dihydrate (brushite, CaHPO4⋅2H2O) and calcium carbonate (calcite, CaCO3) powders have been chosen as the starting materials. The original Ca/P ratio of CaHPO4⋅2H2O - CaCO3 batch was set to be 1.67. A mixture of starting materials was milled using a planetary mill (ZrO2 jar and balls) with water for 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 hrs. The XRD study of calcined powders was conducted for phase identification and for HA/β-TCP ratio as well. The phases of the calcined powders were HA and β-TCP, and the HA/β-TCP ratio varied with the milling time. The mass fraction of HA and β-TCP phases was calculated from the XRD intensities of HA and β-TCP. The ratio of the mixture milled for 4 hrs and calcined at 900°C was 85(HA):15(β-TCP) (BCP 85/15) and the content of β-TCP increased with the milling time. It is believed defective HA powder formed at relatively short period of milling time (less than 3 hrs The research revealed that nanocrystalline BCP powders could be synthesized by an employment of a medium-high energy mechanical activation at room temperatures (~25°C) without any preliminary chemical processing.

Abstract: As a part of the effort to develop a suitable scaffold for tissue-engineered bone regeneration, we modified calcium metaphosphate (CMP) ceramic with Na20 and evaluated its efficiency as a scaffold. We incorporate 5% Na20 into pure CMP and prepare for an average pore size of 250 or 450 µm average pore sizes. The incorporation of 5% Na2O caused reduced compressive strength and there was no change in biodegradability. The in vitro cellular attachment and proliferation rate, however, were slightly improved. The 5% Na2O-incorporated macroporous CMP ceramic-cell constructs treated with Emdogain induced ectopic bone formation more effectively than those without Emdogain treatment. These results suggest that the incorporation of 5% Na2O into pure CMP is not effective for improving the physical characteristics of pure CMP but it is positive for improving the cellular reaction and osteogenic effect with the addition of Emdogain.