Functionalization of Polycaprolactone Electrospun Osteoplastic Scaffolds with Fluorapatite and Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles: Biocompatibility Comparison of Human Versus Mouse Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

A capability for effective tissue reparation is a living requirement for all multicellular organisms. Bone exits as a precisely orchestrated balance of bioactivities of bone forming osteoblasts and bone resorbing osteoclasts. The main feature of osteoblasts is their capability to produce massive extracellular matrix enriched with calcium phosphate minerals. Hydroxyapatite and its composites represent the most common form of bone mineral providing mechanical strength and significant osteoinductive properties. Herein, hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite functionalized composite scaffolds based on electrospun polycaprolactone have been successfully fabricated. Physicochemical properties, biocompatibility and osteoinductivity of generated matrices have been validated. Both the hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite containing polycaprolactone composite scaffolds demonstrated good biocompatibility towards mesenchymal stem cells. Moreover, the presence of both hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite nanoparticles increased scaffolds’ wettability. Furthermore, incorporation of fluorapatite nanoparticles enhanced the ability of the composite scaffolds to interact and support the mesenchymal stem cells attachment to their surfaces as compared to hydroxyapatite enriched composite scaffolds. The study of osteoinductive properties showed the capacity of fluorapatite and hydroxyapatite containing composite scaffolds to potentiate the stimulation of early stages of mesenchymal stem cells’ osteoblast differentiation. Therefore, polycaprolactone based composite scaffolds functionalized with fluorapatite nanoparticles generates a promising platform for future bone tissue engineering applications.

Viscoelastic, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Melt-Processed Poly (ε-Caprolactone) (PCL)/Hydroxyapatite (HAP) Composites

“…Usually, the intrinsic properties of a polymer can be altered by inclusion of filler in a polymer. Numerous filler materials have been incorporated into PCL to enhance its certain properties such as conductivity [ 9 , 10 ], barrier [ 7 , 11 ], sensing [ 12 ], and biological activity [ 13 , 14 ]. Amongst many different fillers, hydroxyapatite (HAP) has received a significant interest mostly due to its exceptional properties.…”

“…HAP is an inorganic bio-filler, which resembles the properties of bone; hence, it is mainly used in biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Several studies have developed PCL/HAP composite scaffolds for biomedical applications [ 13 , 14 , 18 ]. However, HAP in combination with other materials such as urea, can be used for a control of fertilizer release in soil [ 19 , 20 ].…”

Recent Advances in Functional Polymer Materials for Energy, Water, and Biomedical Applications: A Review

“…Indeed, for bone regeneration, many studies have focused on poly-caprolactone (PCL)/hydroxyapatite (HAp), based on nanofibers, and additives which have been studied for scaffold enhancement [241][242][243]. Liu et al [244] developed a new hybrid bilayer scaffold based on electrospun PCL/gelatine (Gel) nano fibrous material, combined with a 3D printed PCL/Gel/nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) scaffold.…”

Advances in Electrospun Hybrid Nanofibers for Biomedical Applications

“…For instance, coelectrospinning allows for the inclusion of naturally occurring minerals, such as hydroxyapatite, playing an important role in the development of scaffolds for bone regeneration. The possibility of including functional agents in nanofiber matrices offers an improvement in both structural and biological capabilities, which is vital for tissue-engineering applications [ 46 , 47 , 48 ]. Undoubtedly, the immobilization of diverse functional moieties in coelectrospun nanofiber matrices provides huge improvements in both mechanical and physiochemical properties.…”