Engineered cellular microenvironments from functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes integrating Zein/Chitosan
Sita Shrestha1, Bishnu Kumar Shrestha1, Sung Won Ko1
1Department of Bionanosystem Engineering, Graduate School, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Republic of Korea.
Carbohydrate Polymers
|November 4, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed a novel artificial bone scaffold using polyurethane, zein, chitosan, and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes. This biomimetic material enhances bone cell regeneration and mimics the natural extracellular matrix for improved bone grafts.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Biomimetic scaffolds are crucial for tissue regeneration, bridging host responses and organ needs.
- Effective biomaterials should closely mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) for optimal functional behavior.
- Developing advanced bone graft materials remains a significant challenge in regenerative medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a novel fibrous scaffold integrating zein, chitosan (CS), and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (fMWCNTs) within a polyurethane (PU) matrix.
- To evaluate the scaffold's potential as a bone cell repair material by assessing its biomimetic properties and osteoinductive capacity.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of the composite scaffold on pre-osteoblast (MC3T3-E1) behavior and bone regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a composite fibrous scaffold using PU, zein, CS, and fMWCNTs.
- Characterization of scaffold properties including biomechanical strength, hydrophilicity, and antibacterial efficacy.
- In vitro evaluation of pre-osteoblast cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation on the scaffold.
- Assessment of osteogenic activity through Alizarin red staining, alkaline phosphatase activity, and Western blotting for osteogenic protein markers.
Main Results:
- The PU/Zein/CS-fMWCNTs scaffold demonstrated improved biomechanical strength, hydrophilicity, and antibacterial properties.
- Scaffold incorporation of 0.1 mg/mL fMWCNTs resulted in synergistic effects, closely resembling natural bone ECM.
- Enhanced cell-to-cell communication and significantly promoted MC3T3-E1 cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation were observed.
- Evidence of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocrystal nucleation and expression of osteogenic protein markers confirmed excellent osteoinductive properties.
Conclusions:
- The engineered PU/Zein/CS-fMWCNTs fibrous scaffold acts as an effective artificial bone ECM.
- The scaffold exhibits suitable biological behavior for bone cell regeneration.
- This biomimetic material offers significant benefits for the field of artificial bone grafts and regenerative medicine.
