Bioinspired Surface Functionalization for Improving Osteogenesis of Electrospun Polycaprolactone Nanofibers

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Electrospun nanofibers, particularly polycaprolactone (PCL), are widely used in bone tissue engineering due to their biomimetic porous structure.
• Enhancing the osteogenesis capability of PCL nanofibers via surface functionalization remains an area with limited research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a universal and versatile method for surface modification of electrospun PCL nanofibers.
• To improve the osteogenesis and biomineralization capabilities of PCL nanofibers using bioinspired surface functionalization with nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA).

Main Methods:

• A dopamine-mediated approach was employed to spontaneously coat electrospun PCL nanofibers with bioactive nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA), creating PCL-PDHA nanofibers.
• Characterization involved scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and surface wettability tests.
• In vitro studies assessed cell adhesion, proliferation, osteogenic capability using MC3T3-E1 cells, and biomineralization in simulated body fluid.

Main Results:

• Successful coating of nHA onto electrospun nanofibers was confirmed (PCL-PDHA).
• PCL-PDHA nanofibers demonstrated excellent biocompatibility with MC3T3-E1 cells.
• Significant improvements in osteogenesis and biomineralization capabilities were observed for PCL-PDHA nanofibers compared to unmodified PCL nanofibers.

Conclusions:

• The facile, bioinspired surface functionalization method using dopamine is effective for enhancing the osteogenesis and biomineralization of electrospun nanofibers.
• This versatile approach holds potential for improving bone regeneration and achieving other biomedical engineering objectives.