Improving effects of chitosan nanofiber scaffolds on osteoblast proliferation and maturation

Abstract

Osteoblast maturation plays a key role in regulating osteogenesis. Electrospun nanofibrous products were reported to possess a high surface area and porosity. In this study, we developed chitosan nanofibers and examined the effects of nanofibrous scaffolds on osteoblast maturation and the possible mechanisms. Macro- and micro observations of the chitosan nanofibers revealed that these nanoproducts had a flat surface and well-distributed fibers with nanoscale diameters. Mouse osteoblasts were able to attach onto the chitosan nanofiber scaffolds, and the scaffolds degraded in a time-dependent manner. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy further showed mouse osteoblasts adhered onto the scaffolds along the nanofibers, and cell–cell communication was also detected. Mouse osteoblasts grew much better on chitosan nanofiber scaffolds than on chitosan films. In addition, human osteoblasts were able to adhere and grow on the chitosan nanofiber scaffolds. Interestingly, culturing human osteoblasts on chitosan nanofiber scaffolds time-dependently increased DNA replication and cell proliferation. In parallel, administration of human osteoblasts onto chitosan nanofibers significantly induced osteopontin, osteocalcin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) messenger (m)RNA expression. As to the mechanism, chitosan nanofibers triggered runt-related transcription factor 2 mRNA and protein syntheses. Consequently, results of ALP-, alizarin red-, and von Kossa-staining analyses showed that chitosan nanofibers improved osteoblast mineralization. Taken together, results of this study demonstrate that chitosan nanofibers can stimulate osteoblast proliferation and maturation via runt-related transcription factor 2-mediated regulation of osteoblast-associated osteopontin, osteocalcin, and ALP gene expression.

Methylpiperidinopyrazole Attenuates Estrogen-Induced Mitochondrial Energy Production and Subsequent Osteoblast Maturation via an Estrogen Receptor Alpha-Dependent Mechanism

“…Mineralization of rat calvarial osteoblasts was examined using the alizarin red S dye-staining protocol as described previously [45]. Rat calvarial osteoblasts were seeded in 6-cm tissue culture dishes overnight.…”

Enhanced biological properties of collagen/chitosan-coated poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffold by surface modification with GHK-Cu peptide and 58S bioglass

“…As shown in Fig. 7a and b, these parameters provide a favorable ground for cell attachment to PCL-Col-Chit scaffold, and Collagen and chitosan are natural polymers that stimulate cell proliferation (Ho et al 2014;Sadeghi et al 2016;Dong and Lv 2016). In the uncoated scaffold, fibroblast cell viability rose on days 5 and 7 compared to day 3.…”

Novel bone microenvironment model of castration‑resistant prostate cancer with chitosan fiber matrix and osteoblasts

“…In terms of the bone environment, chitosan nanofibers have attracted attention as a novel scaffold for the repair and regeneration of bone tissue. Long-term culture of osteoblasts using chitosan nanofiber scaffolds has been reported to promote osteoblast propagation and maturation by regulating osteoblast-related osteopontin, osteocalcin, and alkaline phosphatase expression via runt-related transcription factor 2 ( 21 ). We hypothesized that co-cultured osteoblasts and prostate cancer cells on chitosan nanofiber scaffolds would enable long-term culture under conditions similar to those of living organisms.…”