Tailoring weight ratio of PCL/PLA in electrospun three-dimensional nanofibrous scaffolds and the effect on osteogenic differentiation of stem cells

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds as artificial ECMs have been extensively studied to mimic the critical features of natural ECMs. To develop more clinically relevant 3D scaffolds, electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds with different weight ratios of PCL/PLA (i.e., 100/0, 60/40, and 20/80) were fabricated via the thermally induced (nanofiber) self-agglomeration (TISA) method. The hypothesis was that, with the weight ratio increase of stiffer and more bioactive PLA in the 3D PCL/PLA blend scaffolds, the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) would be enhanced. The results indicated that, all of the 3D scaffolds were elastic/resilient and possessed interconnected and hierarchical pores with sizes from sub-microns to ~300 μm; therefore, the morphological structures of these scaffolds were similar to those of natural ECMs. The PLA80 scaffolds exhibited the best overall properties in terms of density, porosity, water absorption capacity, mechanical properties, bioactivity, and cell viability. Furthermore, with increasing the PLA weight ratio, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium content, and gene expression level were also increased, probably due to the improved stiffness/bioactivity of scaffold. Hence, the novel 3D electrospun PLA80 nanofibrous scaffold might be desired/favorable for the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs.

Recent Advances in Bioplastics: Application and Biodegradation

“…They have found that a core-shell electrospinning to fabricate a PCL/PLLA scaffold with hydroxyapatite particles allowed an osteoconductive environment and also induced differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). A similar study by Xu and co-workers [154] used a PCL/PLA electrospun composite, but they specifically saw that an increase in the PLA content induced a higher alkaline phosphatase and calcium deposition due to the higher stiffness of the scaffold. The same group also saw a higher osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs in vitro and more functional cranial bone formation in vivo due to this PCL/PLA blend [155].…”

Biodegradable Polymers as Drug Delivery Systems for Bone Regeneration

“…Studies have been conducted for culturing BMSCs onto scaffolds in order for cells to differentiate into osteoblast progenitors and promote bone formation. Liu et al [67] reported on a chitosan/HA composite, and Xu et al [101] reported on a PCL/PLLA composite. Both studies described the use of scaffolds combined with BMSC for bone regeneration.…”

The Use of Electrospun Organic and Carbon Nanofibers in Bone Regeneration

“…Research has been conducted to cultivate BMSC on scaffolds to differentiate into osteoblast progenitor cells and promote bone formation. Liu et al reported on a chitosan/HA composite [66], while Xu et al reported on a PCL/PLLA composite [81] that combines nanofibers and BMSC for bone regeneration.…”