In vitro biocompatibility of 3D printed polycaprolactone/nano-hydroxyapatite composite scaffold with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Polycaprolactone/nano-hydroxyapatite composite is a new composite scaffold material prepared based on common bone tissue engineering materials using 3D printing technology. At present, little is reported on the in vitro biocompatibility of the composite material. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cytocompatibility of 3D printed polycaprolactone/nano-hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds. METHODS: Polycaprolactone and polycaprolactone/nano-hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds were prepared by 3D printing technology to characterize the microstructure, porosity and mechanical properties of the two materials. Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were inoculated on the surface of the 3D-printed polycaprolactone and polycaprolactone/nano-hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds. Cell proliferation rate was detected by CCK-8 method. Cell growth on the scaffolds was observed by scanning electron microscopy and Live/Dead cell staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Two kinds of scaffolds had a three-dimensional network and interconnected structure. The fibers were arranged in a regular order and interlaced. There was no gap on the fiber surface, and the fiber spacing and diameter were relatively uniform. There was no significant difference in the porosity between two kinds of scaffolds (P > 0. 05). The elastic modulus of the composite scaffold was higher than that of the simple polycaprolactone scaffold (P < 0. 05). There was no significant difference in cell proliferation between two kinds of scaffolds after 1 day of culture. After 4 and 7 days of culture, cell proliferation on the composite scaffold was significantly faster than that on the simple polycaprolactone scaffold (P < 0. 05). Live/Dead cell staining showed that both polycaprolactone and polycaprolactone/nano-hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds had good cytocompatibility and high cell viability. A larger number of cells adhered to the polycaprolactone/nano-hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds. Scanning electron microscopy showed that cells grew well on two kinds of scaffolds and distributed on the surface and micropores of the scaffold. The secreted extracellular matrix appeared in filaments and surrounded the cells. These findings suggest that the polycaprolactone/nano-hydroxyapatite composite material prepared by 3D printing technology has abundant pores, exhibit good mechanical properties, and have good cytocompatibility and can be used as a scaffold material for tissue engineering.