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Design of novel three-phase PCL/TZ–HA biomaterials for use in bone regeneration applications

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Abstract

The design of bioactive scaffold materials able to guide cellular processes involved in new-tissue genesis is key determinant in bone tissue engineering. The aim of this study was the design and characterization of novel multi-phase biomaterials to be processed for the fabrication of 3D porous scaffolds able to provide a temporary biocompatible substrate for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. The biomaterials were prepared by blending poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with thermoplastic zein (TZ), a thermoplastic material obtained by de novo thermoplasticization of zein. Furthermore, to bioactivate the scaffolds, microparticles of osteoconductive hydroxyapatite (HA) were dispersed within the organic phases. Results demonstrated that materials and formulations strongly affected the micro-structural properties and hydrophilicity of the scaffolds and, therefore, had a pivotal role in guiding cell/scaffold interaction. In particular, if compared to neat PCL, PCL–HA composite and PCL/TZ blend, the three-phase PCL/TZ–HA showed improved MSCs adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation capability, thus demonstrating potential for bone regeneration.

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Acknowledgements

This research has been financially supported by a grant of the Italian Ministry of Health, art. 12bis D. Lgs. 229/99. The authors thank Finceramica (Faenza) for supply the HA used in this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy

    Aurelio Salerno & Paolo A. Netti

  2. Institute of Composite and Biomedical Materials, National Research Council (IMCB-CNR), Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy

    Aurelio Salerno, Maria Oliviero & Salvatore Iannace

  3. Department of Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy

    Ernesto Di Maio & Paolo A. Netti

  4. Stem Cells Laboratory, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Scientific Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy

    Cristina Rofani & Anna C. Berardi

  5. Department of Comparative Biomedical Science, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy

    Alessia Colosimo

  6. IRCCS-CSS San Giovanni Rotondo and CSS Mendel Institute, Rome, Italy

    Valentina Guida & Bruno Dallapiccola

  7. Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy

    Valentina Guida & Bruno Dallapiccola

  8. Neurosurgery, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Scientific Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy

    Paolo Palma, Emidio Procaccini & Francesco Velardi

  9. Department of Experimental Medicine, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy

    Anna Teti

Authors
  1. Aurelio Salerno
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  2. Maria Oliviero
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  3. Ernesto Di Maio
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  14. Salvatore Iannace
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Correspondence to Aurelio Salerno.

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Salerno, A., Oliviero, M., Di Maio, E. et al. Design of novel three-phase PCL/TZ–HA biomaterials for use in bone regeneration applications. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 21, 2569–2581 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-010-4119-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-010-4119-0

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