| Abstract: | Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) in combination with biomaterials are being explored for clinical bone regeneration. The current biomaterials used for BMPs delivery are not specifically designed to support BMP‐induced osteogenesis. Towards this goal, we designed synthetic N‐isopropylacrylamide (NiPAM)‐based thermosensitive polymers and investigated their ability to support osteogenic transformation of pluripotent C2C12 cells. Cell attachment to the polymers was limited as compared to attachment to the plastic surfaces optimized for cell culture. Short‐term (<7 days) studies indicated relatively little cell growth on the polymer surfaces. However, C2C12 cells retained their ability to respond to BMP‐2, as determined by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) induction, when cultured on thermoreversible polymers. Some polymers supported ALP induction that was far superior (～10‐fold) to cells grown on tissue culture surfaces. We conclude that thermosensitive polymers, although limited in their ability to support cell attachment and growth, did support the pluripotent cells' ability to be transformed under the influence of BMP‐2. The ALP induction was dependent on the compositional details of the polymers, suggesting that in vivo osteoinduction was likely to be influenced by the physicochemical properties of the polymers. |
