Hierarchical mesoporous silica nanofibers as multifunctional scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration

Abstract

Mesoporous materials with pore sizes between 2 and 50 nm have elicited widespread interest in catalysis, separation, adsorption, sensors, and drug delivery applications due to its highly ordered pore size along with high hydrothermal stability and easily modifiable surface functionalities. Fabricating these mesoporous materials as continuous fibers offers exciting vistas for biomedical applications especially in tissue engineering. The aim of the present study was to fabricate, characterize, and evaluate the cellular and gene expression of mesoporous silica with a long ordered fibrous morphology to support regeneration of bone tissue. Tetraethyl orthosilicate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and the tri-block copolymer P-123 were subjected to electrospinning to fabricate continuous ordered mesoporous silica nanofibers by optimizing solution and operation parameters. Mesoporous silica fibers with an average diameter of 470 nm and mesopores of dimension 5.97 nm were obtained. The combination of micropores, mesopores, macropores, and the nanofibrous morphology imparted excellent bioactivity to the mesoporous silica fibrous scaffolds as demonstrated by the proliferation of human osteoblast-like cells (MG63) and by the maintenance of its phenotype. The upregulation of collagen I, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, osteopontin, and bone sialoprotein signifies the maturation of MG63 cells on the silica scaffold. Hence, these novel scaffolds are promising new biomaterials for orthopaedic applications.

Bioactive glass-based materials with hierarchical porosity for medical applications: Review of recent advances

“…The fabrication of electrospun mesoporous silica nanofibrous scaffolds (average diameter 470 nm, mesopore size 5.97 nm) [100] and poly(caprolactone) nanofibrous hybrid constructs shelled with mesoporous silica [101] has also been reported for possible use in bone tissue engineering with good in vitro biological results.…”

Multi-Functional Magnetic Photoluminescent Photocatalytic Polystyrene-Based Micro- and Nano-Fibers Obtained by Electrospinning

“…Welldefined multi-functional nanostructured fibers are also finding applications in controlled drug delivery and drug release, nano-micro-electromechanical systems, advanced filtration, etc. [9].…”

Silicon oxide based materials for controlled release in orthopedic procedures

“…Yet another method for synthesizing silica/polymer nanofiber scaffolds is mixing the prehydrolyzed sol with surfactant and polymer solution. By electrospinning the mixture, a silica/polymer nanofiber scaffold can be obtained all while mesoporous structure of MSN within the polymer matrix is retained [109].…”