In Vitro Fabrication and Biocompatibility Assay of a Biomimetic Osteoblastic Niche

A novel HAp-CS/Gel biomimetic osteoblastic niche was fabricated by freeze-drying, and its mechanical strength and biocompatibility were characterized. HAp-CS/Gel scaffolds in various ratios of 100:5, 100:10, and 100:20 (CS/Gel to HAp) were prepared by freeze-drying prior to chemical cross-linking followed by infrared spectrum analysis, EDS, FITR, SEM, fluorescence microscopy, MTT, and ALP experiments. Results from the infrared spectrum analysis showed that HAp doping remained the surface morphology and the architecture of scaffold with interconnected pores in the size range of 135 to 150 μm. The HAp doping ratio of 100:20 was found to be optimal based on its high porosity of 90%, better water uptake folds of 19.1. In addition, EDS and FITR analyses demonstrated that HAps were uniformly distributed on the surface of a scaffold with aggregates and particles, which has sufficient roughness for cell attachment and proliferation of osteoblasts. Under SEM and fluorescent microscopy, osteoblasts seeded onto the scaffold showed evenly distributed viable cells, which is believed to form a biomimetic niche. In the present study, we further demonstrate that osteoblasts can maintain their function and grow well on the scaffold through MTT and ALP tests. Thus, the scaffold has favorable physical properties and biocompatibility to support the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and further to support the constructs of biomimetic osteoblastic niche.