Honeycomb form β-tricalcium phosphate induces osteogenesis by geometrical property with BMSC.

To establish an effective method for bone augmentation, we introduced a new honeycomb-like β-tricalcium phosphate (H-β-TCP) with BMP-2 as a scaffold, whose unique geometrical properties induce osteoblastic differentiation of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). A total of six beagle dogs from 6 to 7 years old were used for this study. BMSCs were cultured with autologous serum and BMP-2 on H-β-TCP. Differentiation to osteoblasts was demonstrated in vitro and exo vivo. Scanning electron microscopy revealed formation and calcification of a matrix-like structure within the H-β-TCP tunnels in BMSC culture. Moreover, treatment of BMP-2 promoted osteoblastic differentiation of BMSCs in H-β-TCP in a diffusion chamber. These results indicated that H-β-TCP may be a useful tool for construction of functional artificial bone.