Effect of crosslinking, hydroxyapatite addition, and fiber alignment to stimulate human mesenchymal stem cells osteoinduction in polycaprolactone‐based electrospun scaffolds

Abstract

Electrospinning is a versatile technique for producing composite scaffolds with nanostructure properties similar to the natural extracellular matrix. Biomaterials possessing mechanical, structural, and biological properties required for bone tissue engineering are a big challenge. However, the effect of fiber alignment, their mechanical properties, and chemical modifications on fibers are usually investigated individually. In this study, PCL/GE/HA scaffolds were electrospun in a static and drum rotatory collector to investigate the effects of alignment on the physicochemical properties of composite scaffolds. Furthermore, to achieve a stable composite with natural polymer gelatin (GE), a water‐soluble, zero‐length crosslinker (N‐[3‐dimethylaminopropyl]‐N′‐ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride, EDC) was used to crosslink GE. Our results have outlined that the incorporation of GE, as well as crosslinking process, produced a hydrophilic biomaterial, improving wettability compared to pure polycaprolactone (PCL). In addition, the alignment reinforced the material, increasing mechanical strength. Biological tests showed that GE addition and the alignment allowed a better osteoinduction than pure random PCL.

Bioactive materials‐coated polybutylene‐adipate‐co‐terephthalate 3D‐printed scaffolds for application in the bone tissues engineering

“…Moreover, the N H bond from amide II and N H stretching were noted at 1559 and 3288 cm À1 , attributed to gelatin presence. 20,34 For the PBH scaffold, it was observed some changes in the bands corresponding to the carbonyl group from the ester of the PBAT chain (1718 cm À1 ), and the appearance of bands from the phosphate groups (1268, 115, 634, and 565 cm À1 ) was attributed to both hydroxyapatite and bioglass presence. However, the Si O and phosphate bonds overlap in the FTIR spectrum region located between 1100 and 1000 cm À1 .…”

“…Thus, the incorporation of natural substances such as hydroxyapatite (H), gelatin (G), and bioactive glass (B) can overcome this issue. [18][19][20][21] BG and H are both materials that have been widely used in BTE. H is a naturally occurring mineral composed of calcium and phosphorus atoms, the significant component of human bones and teeth.…”

“…26 Polymer scaffolds have been modified by incorporating materials that enhance properties needed by distinct techniques, such as production of composites, 12,27 dip coating, 28 coating by solution immersion, 28,29 and electrospinnig. 20 The biomaterial coating by immersion in biologically active solutions has been an alternative technique to modify scaffold surfaces, enhancing their physical properties, such as cell attachment. 2 In addition, the presence and release of these bioactive materials can reduce the potential for inflammation, promote cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, and increase the integration of the scaffold with the surrounding tissue.…”

“…Nevertheless, a single material does not have the needed features to promote cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Thus, the incorporation of natural substances such as hydroxyapatite (H), gelatin (G), and bioactive glass (B) can overcome this issue 18–21 . BG and H are both materials that have been widely used in BTE.…”

“…Polymer scaffolds have been modified by incorporating materials that enhance properties needed by distinct techniques, such as production of composites, 12,27 dip coating, 28 coating by solution immersion, 28,29 and electrospinnig 20 . The biomaterial coating by immersion in biologically active solutions has been an alternative technique to modify scaffold surfaces, enhancing their physical properties, such as cell attachment 2 .…”