Nanofibrous Mineralized Electrospun Scaffold as a Substrate for Bone Tissue Regeneration

Fibrous scaffolds that reconstruct the extracellular matrix (ECM) have been utilized for tissue regeneration demonstrated potential for guiding stem cell differentiation. Nanofibrous scaffolds fabricated by a unique electrospinning method enabled us to create tailored, functional scaffolds on-demand. Several patterned electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds were prepared, and then utilized for creating a hybrid composite in which bone-like hydroxyapatite (b-HA) was deposited onto the unique electrospun scaffolds. The mineral deposits onto the patterned PCL scaffolds was confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). When culturing human adipose-derived stem cells (hASC) onto the different SBF-treated electrospun PCL scaffolds, it was found that the hybrid composite can support hASC differentiated into osteoblasts under osteogenic differentiation conditions. Image analysis and alamar blue assay indicated a significant increase of hASC adhesion and proliferation on the SBF-treated PCL scaffolds. Subsequent analysis of osteogenic potential by via gene expression analysis and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity also demonstrated that the SBF-treated electrospun PCL made by the modified electrospinning process is more favorable for the osteogenic differentiation hASCs. Additionally, results of alizarin red S staining and ALP staining at days 7 and 14 showed improved deposition of mineralized matrix on the SBF-treated PCL. Therefore, this study indicates that the facile scaffold fabrication method described in this study is promising approach to prepare osteoconductive scaffold for bone tissue engineering.