ABSTRACT
Tissue engineering using somatic cells and synthetic extracellular matrix [scaffold] represents a new approach for regeneration of mineralized tissue and bone. This study was carried out to investigate the ability of a PLLA/HA scaffold to culture osteoblast cells in a three dimensional milieu. Three bony samples were taken from extraction sites during surgical extraction of wisdom teeth. Osteoblasts were obtained from specimens by using trypsin and collagenase and were cultured in monolayer up to passage four. Cells were seeded on PLLA/HA scaffolds at density of 106 cells/ml and then incubated for 21 days. The seeded cells were evaluated by Hoechst, von kossa and H and E stainings and scanning electron microscopy. Cellular growth was more pronounced when isolation was carried out by collagenase. According to scanning electron microscopy, osteoblast cells had been proliferated and attached to the scaffolds. H and E, Hoechst and von kossa stainings confirmed the presence of the harvested cells in the scaffold too. Our findings suggest that osteoblast cells can grow onto PLLA/HA scaffold in vitro