Enhancement of chondrocyte proliferation, distribution, and functions within polycaprolactone scaffolds by surface treatments

Abstract

Enhancement of porcine chondrocyte growth, distribution and functions within polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds was attempted using alkaline hydrolysis and oxygen plasma treatment. The hydrolysis of PCL was performed either before or after scaffold fabrication in the preparations of pre-hydrolyzed PCL (pre-HPCL) or post-HPCL scaffolds, respectively. The PCL, pre-HPCL, and post-HPCL scaffolds were subsequently plasma-treated to yield plasma-treated PCL, plasma-treated pre-HPCL, and plasma-treated post-HPCL scaffolds, respectively. All scaffolds were comparatively characterized, in terms of surface morphology, hydrophilicity, and atomic composition using scanning electron microscopy, contact angle measurement and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The interactions of chondrocytes with individual scaffolds were assessed, in terms of cartilage-gene expression and cartilaginous matrix production using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) assay, respectively. The cell infiltration and cartilaginous matrix distribution were investigated by histological and immunofluorescence analysis. The results revealed that the plasma treatment exhibited a more prominent effect on the enhancement of surface roughness and hydrophilicity of the scaffolds than the alkaline hydrolysis. The scaffolds subjected to both surface treatments stimulated the cells to secret more GAGs and type II collagen. The sequence of hydrolysis of PCL also evidently played a crucial role in the hydrophilicity of the materials and the cartilage-gene expression and cartilaginous matrix production of the cultured chondrocytes. The hydrolysis of PCL prior to the fabrication, followed by the oxygen plasma treatment of the resulting fabricated scaffold, yielded plasma-treated pre-HPCL scaffold with homogeneous hydrophilic characteristics all over the material. Consequently, the cells could proliferate well, infiltrate most deeply and ultimately produce the highest amounts of the cartilage-specific substances throughout this scaffold.

Osteogenic Potential of Pre-Osteoblastic Cells on a Chitosan-graft-Polycaprolactone Copolymer

“…Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a synthetic biodegradable and biocompatible polyester with good mechanical properties, high plasticity, non-toxicity and gradual resorption following implantation [ 5 ]. Despite the lack of bioactive functional groups and the hydrophobic character of PCL, several studies propose the use of PCL scaffolds to promote the proliferation of cells and extracellular matrix production [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. PCL copolymers and blends with other natural or synthetic polymers have been frequently used as a biocompatible material both in soft and hard tissue engineering applications including cartilage and bone regeneration [ 18 , 19 ].…”

A Preliminary Evaluation of the Pro-Chondrogenic Potential of 3D-Bioprinted Poly(ester Urea) Scaffolds

“…However, the use of PCL as a cell-compatible and cell-instructive material for AC tissue regeneration is still hindered by its slow degradation rate (i.e., from six to thirty six months as a function of molecular weight), release of acidic by-products and poor biomechanical performance [ 18 ]. Additionally, PCL scaffolds often have to be surface treated to increase hydrophilicity in order to maintain chondrocyte phenotype [ 25 ]. Biodegradable and bioabsorbable α-amino acid based poly(ester urea)s (AA-PEUs)have been proposed as a new class of polymers with enhanced bioactivity for TE [ 26 , 27 ].…”

Time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry three‐dimensional imaging of surface modifications in poly(caprolactone) scaffold pores

“…Cellular attachment in these materials is limited to the scaffold periphery in vitro and results in a poorly integrated scaffold in vivo. Monomer grafting (De Valence et al, ; Pappa et al, ; Siri, Wadbua, Amornkitbamrung, Kampa, & Maensiri, ), film deposition (Uppanan, Thavornyutikarn, Kosorn, Kaewkong, & Janvikul, ; Wulf et al, ), and tethering of bioactive molecules (Gabriel et al, ; Robinson et al, ; Yildirim et al, ) have all been used as methods of improving scaffold performance. However, it often is assumed that the surface modification chemistry proceeds in a similar uniformity to that seen on flat substrates.…”