MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cell-mediated mineralization of hydroxyapatite by poly-dopamine-functionalized graphene oxide

We report a biomimetic mineralization of hydroxyapatite induced by poly-dopamine-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (RGO-PDA). Graphene oxide was first simultaneously reduced and surface functionalized by one-step oxidative polymerization of dopamine. The resultant RGO-PDA was further used as a bioinspired surface to mimic the mineralization of hydroxyapatite during bone formation. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured on the RGO-PDA substrates to observe various cellular activities and hydroxyapatite mineralization. The MC3T3-E1 cells on RGO-PDA substrates show higher cellular activities such as proliferation, adhesion, and osteogenic differentiation over the bare glass and graphene oxide substrates. Those results suggest the potentials of using RGO-PDA as osteogenesis-promoting scaffolds for successful applications in bone tissue regeneration.