Chitosan-Based Nanofibrous Membrane Unit with Gradient Compositional and Structural Features for Mimicking Calcified...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Osteochondral defects pose significant clinical challenges.
• Current treatments often have limitations in fully restoring native tissue function.
• Developing functional tissue engineering scaffolds is crucial for effective repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a gradient composite scaffold for osteochondral repair.
• To mimic the distinct layers of the native osteochondral matrix.
• To evaluate the potential of the scaffold in promoting cartilage and bone regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of chitosan (CH), silk fibroin (SF), and hydroxyapatite (HA) composites.
• Electrospinning of CH/SF/HA composites into gradient nanofibrous membrane units.
• Fabrication of a three-layer scaffold with CH/HA (subchondral), CH/SF/HA (calcified), and CH/SF (chondral) layers.
• In vitro evaluation of scaffold biocompatibility and cell behavior.

Main Results:

• The nanofibrous membrane unit exhibited selective permeability and prevented cell migration, mimicking the calcified layer.
• The layered scaffolds supported the growth and phenotype of both chondrocytes and osteoblasts.
• The scaffolds promoted neotissue mineralization in the bony layer.

Conclusions:

• The developed three-layer scaffold effectively mimics the osteochondral matrix structure and function.
• This scaffold shows significant potential for clinical applications in osteochondral defect repair.
• The gradient composition and structure are key to its regenerative capabilities.