ABSTRACT
The objective of the study was to produce three-dimensional and porous nanofiber reinforced hydrogel scaffolds that can mimic the hydrated composite structure of the cartilage extracellular matrix. In this regard, wet-electrospun poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) nanofiber reinforced carboxymethyl chitosan-silk fibroin (PNFs/CMCht-SF) hydrogel composite scaffolds that were chemically cross-linked by poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDE) were produced. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in cartilage regeneration where a three dimensional porous spongy composite scaffold was obtained by the dispersion of wet-electrospun nanofibers within a polymer matrix. All of the produced hydrogel composite scaffolds had an interconnected microporous structure with well-integrated PHBV nanofibers on the pore walls. The scaffold comprising an equal amount of PEGDE and polymer (PNFs/CMCht-SF1:PEGDE1) demonstrated comparable water content (91.4 ± 0.7%), tan δ (0.183 at 1 Hz) and compressive strength (457 ± 85 kPa) values to that of articular cartilage. Besides, based on the histological analysis, this hydrogel composite scaffold supported the chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Consequently, this hydrogel composite scaffold presented a great promise for cartilage tissue regeneration.
Subject(s)
Biocompatible Materials/chemistry , Cartilage, Articular/chemistry , Chitosan/analogs & derivatives , Hydrogels/chemistry , Nanofibers/chemistry , Polyesters/chemistry , Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry , Animals , Biocompatible Materials/metabolism , Cartilage, Articular/cytology , Cartilage, Articular/metabolism , Cell Differentiation , Cells, Cultured , Chitosan/chemistry , Fibroins/chemistry , Humans , Hydrogels/metabolism , Mechanical Tests , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , Nanogels/chemistry , Porosity , Rats , Regeneration , Tissue EngineeringABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to produce biocompatible plasma-treated and silk-fibroin (SF) modified poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) nanofiber mats. The mats were plasma-treated using O2 or N2 gas to increase their hydrophilicity followed by SF immobilization for the improvement of biocompatibility. Contact angle measurements and SEM showed increased hydrophilicity and no disturbed morphology, respectively. Cell proliferation assay revealed that SF modification together with N2 plasma (PS/N2) promoted higher osteoblastic (SaOs-2) cell viability. Although, O2 plasma triggered more mineral formation on the mats, it showed poor cell viability. Consequently, the PS/N2 nanofiber mats would be a potential candidate for bone tissue engineering applications.
