A biocomposite of collagen nanofibers and nanohydroxyapatite for bone regeneration

Abstract

This work aims to design a synthetic construct that mimics the natural bone extracellular matrix through innovative approaches based on simultaneous type I collagen electrospinning and nanophased hydroxyapatite (nanoHA) electrospraying using non-denaturating conditions and non-toxic reagents. The morphological results, assessed using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM), showed a mesh of collagen nanofibers embedded with crystals of HA with fiber diameters within the nanometer range (30 nm), thus significantly lower than those reported in the literature, over 200 nm. The mechanical properties, assessed by nanoindentation using AFM, exhibited elastic moduli between 0.3 and 2 GPa. Fourier transformed infrared spectrometry confirmed the collagenous integrity as well as the presence of nanoHA in the composite. The network architecture allows cell access to both collagen nanofibers and HA crystals as in the natural bone environment. The inclusion of nanoHA agglomerates by electrospraying in type I collagen nanofibers improved the adhesion and metabolic activity of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. This new nanostructured collagennanoHA composite holds great potential for healing bone defects or as a functional membrane for guided bone tissue regeneration and in treating bone diseases.

Interaction of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles with endothelial cells: internalization and inhibition of angiogenesis in vitro through the PI3K/Akt pathway

“…Recently, nano-HAP has been reported as a better candidate for bone repairs and implants such as scaffolds, filling materials and bioactive coatings on materials such as titanium and its alloys. [4][5][6] Investigations have revealed that nano-HAP powders possess improved densification and sinterability due to increased surface area, which could ameliorate fracture toughness, and other mechanical properties. 7 In addition, nano-HAP, compared to HAP, showed favorable effect on cell proliferation of human osteoblast-like cells in vitro and stimulated hard tissue regeneration in vivo.…”

Amoxicillin-loaded electrospun nanocomposite membranes for dental applications

“…[2][3][4] In guided tissue/bone regeneration (GTR/GBR), a dental surgical procedure for promoting new bone formation, a barrier membrane is used to block the proliferation of regenerated connective tissue or to provide direct drug delivery and mechanical support. GTR/GBR membranes are highly flexible, based on a variety of polymers and polymeric nanocomposites, and can be prepared by using different methods such as, solidification-assisted compression, 5 solvent casting and evaporation, 6 electrospinning/electrospraying, 7 coprecipitation/dynamic filtration/freeze-drying, 8 thermally induced phase separation, 9 among others.…”

“…12 The effect of hydroxyapatite/polymer composites in the biological functions of bone cells has been investigated in many in vitro studies. 7,11,13 In addition, osteoinductivity and osteoconductivity are other valuable features for its potential functionality as drug delivery carrier.…”

Advanced Scaffolds for Dental Pulp and Periodontal Regeneration

“…111 Scaffold processing techniques, such as co-electrospinning of HAp nanoparticles 112–118 , have been used to produce composite membranes with improved strength and bioactivity. 119,120 Interestingly, a recent study combined electrospinning with melt-plotting to generate a hierarchical PCL/β-TCP scaffold embedded with collagen nanofibers. 121 Scanning electron micrographs of the constructs revealed uniform distribution of β-TCP particles in PCL struts and well-layered collagen nanofibers between composite struts.…”