Ceramics that Up-regulate Cells Differentiation Process

Ceramics is the only biomaterials that up-regulate cells’ differentiation process. For example, apatite ceramics up-regulate differentiation of bone-related and connective tissue related cells. As a result, apatite and its related bioceramics hashave been used in clinics, especially for the regeneration and reconstruction of bone tissue defects. Despite the long history of apatite ceramics use, detailed mechanism of the up-regulation of osteoblasts by apatite ceramics has not been clarified up to date. This unfortunate current situation may arise, at least in part, to the usefulness of apatite ceramics for clinical use. Clinical application studies have been focused more attention rather than science of apatite. Although progress of apatite science is strongly awaited, application study of apatite seems to be accelerated due to the need of apatite ceramics in regenerative medicine.