In vitro responses of human bone marrow stromal cells to a fluoridated hydroxyapatite coated biodegradable Mg–Zn alloy

Bone-like fluoridated hydroxyapatite (FHA) coatings were prepared on Mg-6 wt.%Zn substrates using electrochemical method. Human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) were utilized to investigate the cellular biocompatibility of Mg-6 wt.%Zn alloy after surface modification. The adhesion of hBMSCs was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). The proliferation of the cells was also measured by carrying out the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. And the alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) was assessed to evaluate the early stage of differentiation. Lastly, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test was taken. It was found that the hBMSCs displayed better cell functions on the bioactive FHA coated alloy, compared to the bare Mg-6 wt.%Zn alloy. The in vitro results indicated that the bioactive FHA coating can improve the interfacial bioactivity of Mg-6 wt.%Zn substrate, specifically, both on biodegradation behavior control and good cellular proliferation and differentiation.