Optimization of the time efficient calcium phosphate coating on electrospun poly(d,l-lactide)

The coating of fibrous polyester constructs with a layer of bioactive calcium phosphate (CP) is efficient to improve the potential use as bone tissue engineering scaffold. In this study, a fast procedure for the coating of electrospun poly(d,l-lactide) (PDLLA) fibers with a CP layer was optimized. The fiber surface was activated by immersion in demineralized water under ultrasonication. The resulting reactive groups served as nucleation points for CP precipitation, induced by alternate dipping of the samples in Ca(2+) and PO4 (3-) rich solutions. Variations in the conditions of the alternate dipping procedure, in particular the number of cycles, concentration and immersion time of both solutions, not only affected the degree of surface mineralization but also the type of deposited CP. For the current experimental conditions, in about 30 minutes either a slightly carbonated calcium deficient apatite (CDAp; Ca10-x-y (PO4 )6-x-y (HPO4 )y (CO3 )x (OH)2-x-y ) or a combination of apatite and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD; CaHPO4 .2H2 O) was formed. The cell viability, adhesion, and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells on untreated samples were compared with samples coated with either an adequate amount of CDAp, an excess of CDAp or an excess of a combination of apatite and DCDP. After 7 days of culture the number of attached cells was significantly higher on all CP coated samples compared to the untreated PDLLA. In particular, the samples coated with an adequate amount of CDAp showed an exceedingly enhanced cell response with similar cell morphologies as the ones found on the positive control.