Electrosprayed hydroxyapatite on polymer nanofibers to differentiate mesenchymal stem cells to osteogenesis

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are crucial for bone regeneration.
• Developing effective substrates for MSC differentiation is vital for bone tissue engineering.
• Polymer nanofibers offer a promising scaffold for regenerative medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of electrosprayed hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles on polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers as a substrate for bone tissue regeneration.
• To compare the osteogenic differentiation of equine MSCs on PCL/HA nanofibers versus PCL/Collagen nanofibers.
• To evaluate the effect of the PCL/HA nanofibrous substrate on MSC adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of PCL/HA and PCL/Collagen nanofibers via electrospinning and electrospraying.
• Characterization of nanofibers using FT-IR analysis.
• In vitro evaluation of MSCs cultured on PCL/HA, PCL/Collagen, and TCP (control) scaffolds.
• Assessment of cell proliferation (MTS assay), osteogenic differentiation (ALP activity, Alizarin Red S staining), and gene expression (osteocalcin).

Main Results:

• PCL/HA nanofibers demonstrated enhanced osteogenic differentiation of MSCs compared to PCL/Collagen nanofibers.
• ALP activity increased by 20% in PCL/HA by day 10, indicating osteogenic lineage direction.
• ARS staining showed a 26% increase in mineral secretion on PCL/HA by day 15, with cells expressing osteocalcin and exhibiting cuboidal morphology.

Conclusions:

• The fabricated PCL/HA composite nanofibrous substrate significantly enhances MSC differentiation into osteogenesis.
• PCL/HA nanofibers represent a novel and effective substrate for bone tissue engineering applications.
• This approach holds potential for advancing regenerative strategies in bone defect repair.