A novel hydroxyapatite fiber scaffold for three-dimensional cell culture / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The dense microstructure of biological scaffolds and the limitation of cell growth microenvironment are the two major difficulties in the application of biological scaffolds in bone tissue repair. OBJECTIVE: To prepare fluffy hydroxyapatite/polylactic acid composite fiber scaffold, so that cells can easily enter into the scaffold and to realize three-dimensional culture of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS: Fluffy hydroxyapatite/polylactic acid composite scaffold was prepared by using modified electrospinning technology combined with biomineralization. The physical and chemical properties of the fiber scaffold were measured and observed. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were inoculated on the fluffy hydroxyapatite/polylactic acid composite scaffold and traditional hydroxyapatite/polylactic acid composite scaffold. Cell proliferation, adherence and morphological changes were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The thickness of hydroxyapatite coating in the fluffy hydroxyapatite/polylactic acid composite scaffold was about 8.3 µm, most of hydroxyapatite fibers were in discrete state with a diameter of 8-14 µm. The fibers were connected by pores, and the pore diameter was (65±35) µm. The surface area, porosity and water absorption of the scaffold were significantly higher than those of the traditional scaffold (P < 0.01). (2) After 12 hours of culture, the adherence of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on the two scaffolds was similar, 83% and 81% cells adhered on the traditional and fluffy scaffolds, respectively. (3) After 7 days of culture, the number of proliferated cells in the fluffy hydroxyapatite/polylactic acid composite scaffold was significantly more than that in the traditional hydroxyapatite/polylactic acid composite scaffold (P < 0.01). (4) After 7 days of culture, FDA staining and scanning electric microscopy showed that cell-cell independent shape appeared in the traditional scaffold. A large number of cells appeared in the fluffy scaffold and grew into cell clusters with high cell activity, which formed a cell-fiber construction. These results indicate that this new type hydroxyapatite/polylactic acid composite scaffold is beneficial for cell entry and proliferation.