Cell Engineering Of Human Bone

Bone repair is modulated by different stimuli. There is evidence that the Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-ß) super-family of cytokines have significant effects on bone structure by regulating the replication and differentiation of chondrocytes, osteoblasts and osteoclasts. This book aimed at determining the role of the TGF-ßs, Collagen type I, Fibronectin and Laminin in bone cell behaviour. To do this MG-63 bone cells were used to examine cell adhesion and alignment to different micro-contact printed ECM protein patterns of different widths. The study also aimed at examining how various TGF-ß isomers (TGF-ß1, 2 and 3) and their solvent and carrier (HCl and BSA, respectively) effected cell surface interactions, cell morphology, cell proliferation and integrin expression. Finally, this study also aimed at examining how the TGF-ßs and their solvent and carrier influenced wound closure in an in vitro wound closure model and how TGF-ßs influence ECM secretion and integrin expression.