Comparative studies on thin polycaprolactone-tricalcium phosphate composite scaffolds and its interaction with mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract

BackgroundHybrid scaffolds combining biodegradable polymers and ceramic particles for control of cell adhesion and proliferation are interesting materials for tissue engineering applications. Combinations of biodegradable polymers and ceramics are to provide higher beneficial functionalities to tissue engineering scaffolds with addition of different cell specific bio-factors. Many such hybrid combinations have been reported by several researchers around the world by using various methods and solvents as well as bioactive matrix polymers to fabricate such biomaterials. However, thin hybrid scaffolds with high porosity, cell adhesion factors and biodegradability, as well as the ability to support stem cells often require tedious processes like electrospinning, freeze drying, etc. A simple method to develop porous biodegradable hybrid scaffolds with proper cell adhesion factors is still the need of the hour in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.MethodThin biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) based hybrid scaffolds were developed in combination with α-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) particles, gelatin and fibronectin separately and the fabricated scaffolds were evaluated systematically using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) for tissue engineering applications. A simple modified solvent casting method combined with gas foaming process was used to develop porous thin hybrid structures and compared their properties with those of corresponding non-porous hybrid scaffolds. The TCP particles distribution, morphology, biodegradability and functional groups of the different hybrid scaffolds were analyzed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), light microscopy/scanning electron microscopy (SEM), buffer solutions and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively The cellular and tissue regeneration behaviors such as in vitro cell attachment (live/dead assay), cell proliferation (CCK-8 assay) and histological studies were performed using hMSCs.ResultsThin PCL-based hybrid scaffolds were fabricated using modified solvent casting method. Homogeneous distribution of TCP particles in the scaffolds were confirmed by EDX. Cellular interactions of the hybrid scaffolds demonstrated overall higher cell adhesion, proliferation and tissue regeneration on the non-porous thin films of PCL-TCP, PCL-TCP-gelatin and PCL-TCP-fibronectin. Coating of fibronectin was remarkable in induction of cell adhesion and proliferation.ConclusionsThe experimental results revealed that diversely designed PCL-TCP thin hybrid films showed high cell interaction and proliferation with hMSCs. From the results of the cell viability, attachment, proliferation and histological analyses as well as their biodegradation and coating effects, we conclude that these thin PCL-TCP hybrid films are suitable for tissue engineering applications.

Olfactory Stem Cells for the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury: Isolation, Purification and Behaviour in a Plasma Clot Matrix

“…We agree with other groups suggesting using a cell carrier matrix to avoid immediate host rejection [26,28]. In addition to hydrogels , silk fibroin biomaterials , chitosan-gelatin-agarose or poly-caprolactone, an autologous fibrin matrix is a good candidate for cell transplantations [34,[69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80]. In this study, we evaluated the loading of a plasma-clot matrix with the purified OSCs for future treatment of SCI.…”

Improving the moisture barrier and mechanical properties of semi‐refined carrageenan films

“…The other peaks occurring at 2949, 2865, 1,720, 1,293, 1,240, and 1,170 cm −1 are attributed to common PCL characteristic stretching for asymmetric CH 2 , symmetric CH 2 , C═O, C─O, and C─C, asymmetric C─O─C, and symmetric C─O─C modes, respectively. [61] 4 | CONCLUSIONS Incorporating hydrophilic bentonite NC into SRC polymer film resulted in a general increase the mechanical properties, but with little or no improvement to the barrier properties. The latter is attributed to possible agglomeration of NC in the SRC matrix but more likely its hydrophilic nature that consequently impacts the water vapor barrier and water resistance.…”

Proteins and Peptides as Important Modifiers of the Polymer Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications—A Review

“…Importantly, they can be combined with inorganic components, such as synthetic HAp, alpha-and beta-tricalcium phosphate (α-and β-TCP) as well as bioactive glass in order to improve their structural similarity to natural bone, mechanical properties, and osteoconductivity [72,256,[260][261][262][263]. [272] For instance, Janarthanan et al [273] fabricated PCL/α-TCP, gelatin/PCL/α-TCP, and fibronectin/PCL/α-TCP scaffolds using solvent casting method combined with gas foaming process. They showed that both gelatin/PCL/α-TCP and fibronectin/PCL/α-TCP scaffolds were characterized by superior biocompatibility in vitro compared to PCL/α-TCP biomaterial (studies on human ASCs).…”