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Published on: September 11, 2015
Boosting cell proliferation in three-dimensional polyacrylates/nanohydroxyapatite scaffolds synthesized by deep
Areli Munive-Olarte1, Joseline J Hidalgo-Moyle2, Cristina Velasquillo3
1Centro de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología (CNyN), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ensenada B.C. 22860, Mexico; Posgrado en Nanociencias, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE), Ensenada B.C. 22860, Mexico.
This study developed novel 3D porous scaffolds using high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) and nanohydroxyapatite (NHA). These biocompatible nanocomposite scaffolds significantly enhance cell proliferation for regenerative medicine applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Three-dimensional (3D) porous scaffolds are crucial for regenerative medicine.
- High internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) offer a facile route to create interconnected porosity.
- Incorporating nanomaterials into scaffolds can enhance their bioactivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel nonaqueous high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) derived scaffolds.
- To incorporate nonfunctionalized nanohydroxyapatite (NHA) into the scaffold's inner walls.
- To evaluate the biocompatibility and cellular response of the resulting nanocomposite scaffolds.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of nonaqueous HIPEs using (meth)acrylate monomers and a deep eutectic solvent (DES).
- Incorporation of nonfunctionalized nanohydroxyapatite (NHA) acting as a co-surfactant.
- Free radical polymerization to yield 3D porous nanocomposite scaffolds.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated free-standing nanocomposite scaffolds with interconnected macroporosity.
- Achieved selective decoration of the scaffolds' inner surfaces with nonfunctionalized NHA.
- Demonstrated promising biocompatibility, negligible inflammatory response, and significantly enhanced MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cell proliferation (up to 160-fold increase).
Conclusions:
- The developed polyHIPEs exhibit excellent biocompatibility and promote cell proliferation, making them suitable for regenerative medicine.
- The green synthetic protocol allows for selective incorporation of nanoparticles, enabling versatile construction of bioactive nanocomposite scaffolds.
- This technique offers a simple method for creating customized 3D bioactive nanocomposite scaffolds for various cell culture applications.

