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Tough Photo-Cross-Linked PCL-Hydroxyapatite Composites for Bone Tissue Engineering
Quinten Thijssen1, Kim Cornelis1, Rand Alkaissy2
1Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Biomacromolecules
|February 11, 2022
Summary
Thiol-ene click reactions significantly improve the mechanical properties of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) composites with hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles. These enhanced PCL-HAp materials show promise for bone tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Acrylate-based poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) photo-cross-linked materials exhibit poor mechanical strength and elongation.
- Incorporating osteo-inductive hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles exacerbates these limitations, hindering their use in bone tissue engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of thiol-ene click chemistry for photo-cross-linking PCL-HAp composites.
- To evaluate the impact of thiol-ene cross-linking on the mechanical properties and osteoblast response of PCL-HAp composites.
Main Methods:
- Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) was modified and photo-cross-linked with varying wt % of hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles (0, 10, 20, 30 wt %) using thiol-ene click reaction.
- Mechanical properties (elongation at break, ultimate strength) were measured.
- Osteoblast attachment, proliferation, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were assessed on the composite surfaces.
Main Results:
- Shifting from acrylate cross-linking to thiol-ene cross-linking resulted in a 10-fold increase in elongation at break and a 2-fold increase in ultimate strength.
- Osteoblasts demonstrated successful attachment and proliferation on the surface of the photo-cross-linked PCL-HAp composites.
- Hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticle incorporation led to a reduction in osteoblast alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity.
Conclusions:
- Thiol-ene cross-linked PCL-HAp composites exhibit significantly enhanced mechanical properties compared to acrylate-based counterparts.
- These novel composites support osteoblast adhesion and proliferation, indicating good biocompatibility.
- Thiol-ene cross-linked PCL-HAp composites represent a promising class of biomaterials for bone tissue engineering applications.
