Polymer brush controlled bioinspired calcium phosphate mineralization and bone cell growth

Polymer brushes on thiol-modified gold surfaces were synthesized by using terminal thiol groups for the surface-initiated free radical polymerization of methacrylic acid and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, respectively. Atomic force microscopy shows that the resulting poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) and poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) brushes are homogeneous. Contact angle measurements show that the brushes are pH-responsive and can reversibly be protonated and deprotonated. Mineralization of the brushes with calcium phosphate at different pH yields homogeneously mineralized surfaces, and preosteoblastic cells proliferate on both the nonmineralized and mineralized surfaces. The number of living cells on the mineralized hybrid surfaces is ca. 3 times (PDMAEMA) and 10 times (PMAA) higher than on the corresponding nonmineralized brushes.     

Enzymatic mineralization of hydrogels for bone tissue engineering by incorporation of alkaline phosphatase

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an enzyme involved in mineralization of bone, is incorporated into three hydrogel biomaterials to induce their mineralization with calcium phosphate (CaP). These are collagen type I, a mussel-protein-inspired adhesive consisting of PEG substituted with catechol groups, cPEG, and the PEG/fumaric acid copolymer OPF. After incubation in Ca-GP solution, FTIR, EDS, SEM, XRD, SAED, ICP-OES, and von Kossa staining confirm CaP formation. The amount of mineral formed decreases in the order cPEG?>?collagen?>?OPF. The mineral:polymer ratio decreases in the order collagen?>?cPEG?>?OPF. Mineralization increases Young's modulus, most profoundly for cPEG. Such enzymatically mineralized hydrogel/CaP composites may find application as bone regeneration materials.     

Preparation and characterization of chitosan-carbon nanotube scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

In recent years, significant development has been given to chitosan for orthopedic application. In this study, we have prepared scaffolds with the use of low and high molecular weight chitosan with 0.0025%, 0.005% and 0.01% weight of f-multiwalled carbon nanotube (f-MWCNT) by freezing and lyophilization method and physiochemically characterized as bone graft substitutes. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction Analysis, Thermal Gravimetric Analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Optical Microscopy results indicated that the f-MWCNT was uniformly dispersed in chitosan matrix and there was a chemical interaction between chitosan and f-MWCNT. The water uptake ability and porosity of scaffolds increased with an increase the amount of f-MWCNT. The cell proliferation, protein content, alkaline phosphatase and mineralization of the composite scaffolds were higher than chitosan scaffold due to the addition of f-MWCNT. Herewith, we are suggesting that chitosan/f-MWCNT scaffolds are promising biomaterials for bone tissue engineering.     

Nanoparticles for bone tissue engineering

Tissue engineering (TE) envisions the creation of functional substitutes for damaged tissues through integrated solutions, where medical, biological, and engineering principles are combined. Bone regeneration is one of the areas in which designing a model that mimics all tissue properties is still a challenge. The hierarchical structure and high vascularization of bone hampers a TE approach, especially in large bone defects. Nanotechnology can open up a new era for TE, allowing the creation of nanostructures that are comparable in size to those appearing in natural bone. Therefore, nanoengineered systems are now able to more closely mimic the structures observed in naturally occurring systems, and it is also possible to combine several approaches ‐ such as drug delivery and cell labeling ‐ within a single system. This review aims to cover the most recent developments on the use of different nanoparticles for bone TE, with emphasis on their application for scaffolds improvement; drug and gene delivery carriers, and labeling techniques. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:590–611, 2017     

Chitosan-graft-β-cyclodextrin scaffolds with controlled drug release capability for tissue engineering applications

Biodegradable scaffolds composed of chitosan-g-β-cyclodextrin (chit-g-β-CD) were prepared by freeze-drying method as synthetic extracellular matrices to fill the gap during the healing process. Due to the presence of β-CD, these scaffolds can be used as a matrix for drug loading and controlled release. The morphology, swelling and drug release properties of the scaffolds were found to be dependent on the extent of cross-linking density in the scaffolds. The drug dissolution profile showed that chit-g-β-CD scaffolds provided a slower release of the entrapped ketoprofen than chitosan scaffold. The MTT assay showed that there is no obvious cytotoxicity of chit-g-β-CD scaffolds cross-linked with 0.01 M of glutaraldehyde against the fibroblasts (L929) cells. These results suggest that chit-g-β-CD scaffolds may become a potential biodegradable active filling material with controlled drug release capability, which provide a healthy environment and enhance the surrounding tissue regeneration.     

Fabrication of core-sheath structured fibers for model drug release and tissue engineering by emulsion electrospinning

A nanofibrous core-sheath structured scaffold incorporated with bioactive agents is supposed to promote cell migration, proliferation, and gene expressions through the controllable and sustainable release of bioactive agents from the fibers and the preservation of bioactivity. Here we present a novel and effective emulsion electrospinning method for obtaining fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-dextran)/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and type I collagen/PLGA fibrous composite scaffolds. Core-sheath structured fibers with average diameters of 665 nm for FITC-dextran/PLGA and 567 nm for collagen/PLGA were successfully fabricated. In vitro-release profile shows sustained release of encapsulated FITC-dextran from FITC-dextran/PLGA fibers for as long as 7 weeks. The osteoblastic activity of the collagen/PLGA nanofibrous scaffold was investigated employing the osteoblastic-like MC3T3-E1 cell line. The results of the lactate dehydrogenase assay suggested excellent cytocompatibility. Cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity were also ameliorated on this emulsion-electrospun collagen/PLGA fibrous scaffold. All the results indicated that this composite scaffold could support the early stages of osteoblast behavior as well as the immediate/late stages. The emulsion electrospinning process has potential for application in drug-release devices and as a 3-D scaffold in bone regeneration.     

Pectin-based injectable biomaterials for bone tissue engineering

A variety of natural polymers and proteins are considered to be 3D cell culture structures able to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) to promote bone tissue regeneration. Pectin, a natural polysaccharide extracted from the plant cell walls and having a chemical structure similar to alginate, provides interesting properties as artificial ECM. In this work, for the first time, pectin, modified with an RGD-containing oligopeptide or not, is used as an ECM alternative to immobilize cells for bone tissue regeneration. The viability, metabolic activity, morphology, and osteogenic differentiation of immobilized MC3T3-E1 preosteoblats demonstrate the potential of this polysaccharide to keep immobilized cells viable and differentiating. Preosteoblasts immobilized in both types of pectin microspheres maintained a constant viability up to 29 days and were able to differentiate. The grafting of the RGD peptide on pectin backbone induced improved cell adhesion and proliferation within the microspheres. Furthermore, not only did cells grow inside but also they were able to spread out from the microspheres and to organize themselves in 3D structures producing a mineralized extracellular matrix. These promising results suggest that pectin can be proposed as an injectable cell vehicle for bone tissue regeneration.     

Non-viral gene therapy for bone tissue engineering

The possibilities of using gene therapy for bone regeneration have been extensively investigated. Improvements in the design of new transfection agents, combining vectors and delivery/release systems to diminish cytotoxicity and increase transfection efficiencies have led to several successful in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo strategies. These include growth factor or short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) delivery, or even enzyme replacement therapies, and have led to increased osteogenic differentiation and bone formation in vivo. These results provide optimism to consider use in humans with some of these gene-delivery strategies in the near future.     

Self-calcifying lipid nanocarrier for bone tissue engineering

BackgroundA nanoemulsion with specific surface properties (such as charge and functional groups) can initiate the deposition of calcium phosphate (CaP) on its surface, leading to formation of CaP nanoparticles with a lipid core. The lipid core can carry lipophilic compounds based on the function of the nanoemulsion. Therefore, a dual purpose nanoemulsion of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) exhibiting self-calcifying and carrier abilities can be developed.MethodsWe employed an emulsification process to formulate LNPs with a specific charged surface. The LNPs were tested for their ability to calcify in simulated body fluid and encapsulate cholecalciferol (a model of active compound). The self-calcifying LNP was successfully fabricated using the emulsification process and stabilized using a mixture of polysorbate 80 and polysorbate 20.ResultsThe LNPs incubated in simulated body fluid bound to calcium and phosphate, subsequently forming CaP on the particle surface and resulting in approximately 180-nm CaP spheres with a lipid core. The LNPs facilitated calcium phosphate deposition in the collagen scaffolds. In addition, LNPs can be used as carriers of lipophilic compounds without impeding the self-calcifying ability.     

Heparin-functionalized chitosan scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of heparin-functionalized chitosan scaffolds on the activity of preosteoblasts. The chitosan scaffolds having the pore size of ∼100 μm were prepared by a freeze-drying method. Two different methods for immobilization of heparin to chitosan scaffolds were successfully performed. In the first method, functionalization of the scaffolds was achieved by means of electrostatic interactions between negatively charged heparin and positively charged chitosan. The covalent immobilization of heparin to chitosan scaffolds by 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (EDAC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) was used as a second immobilization method. Morphology, proliferation, and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts on heparin-functionalized chitosan scaffolds were investigated in vitro. The results indicate that covalently bound heparin containing chitosan scaffolds (CHC) stimulate osteoblast proliferation compared to other scaffolds, that is, unmodified chitosan scaffolds (CH), electrostatically bound heparin containing chitosan scaffolds (EHC), and CH+free heparin (CHF). SEM images also proved the stimulative effect of covalently bound heparin on the proliferation of preosteoblasts. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OCN) levels of cells proliferated on CHC and EHC were also higher than those for CH and CHF. In vitro studies have demonstrated that chitosan scaffolds increase viability and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells especially in the presence of immobilized heparin.     

Vascularized microfluidic organ-chips for drug screening,disease models and tissue engineering

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Otolin-1, an otolith- and otoconia-related protein,controls calcium carbonate bioinspired mineralization

BackgroundOtoliths and otoconia are calcium carbonate biomineral structures that form in the inner ear of fish and humans, respectively. The formation of these structures is tightly linked to the formation of an organic matrix framework with otolin-1, a short collagen-like protein from the C1q family as one of its major constituents.MethodsIn this study, we examined the activity of recombinant otolin-1 originating from Danio rerio and Homo sapiens on calcium carbonate bioinspired mineralization with slow-diffusion method and performed crystals characterization with scanning electron microscopy, two-photon excited fluorescence microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy.ResultsWe show that both proteins are embedded in the core of CaCO₃ crystals that form through the slow-diffusion mineralization method. Both of them influence the morphology but do not change the polymorphic mineral phase. D.rerio otolin-1 also closely adheres to the crystal surface.General significanceThe results suggest, that otolin-1 is not a passive scaffold, but is directly involved in regulating the morphology of the resulting calcium carbonate biocrystals.     

Osteoblast mineralization with composite nanofibrous substrate for bone tissue regeneration

Several studies are currently ongoing to construct synthetic bone-like materials with composites of natural and polymeric materials with HA (hydroxyapatite). The present study aims to fabricate composite nanofibrous substrate of Chit/HA (chitosan/HA - 80:25) prepared by dissolving in TFA/DCM (trifluoroacetic acid/dichloromethane) (70:30, w/w) for 5 days and electrospun to fabricate a scaffold for bone tissue engineering. HA (25 wt %) was sonicated for 30 min to obtain a homogenous dispersion of nanoparticles within the Chit (80 wt %) matrix for fabricating composite nanofibrous scaffold (Chit/HA). The nanofibres of Chit and Chit/HA were obtained with fibre diameters of 274 ± 75 and 510 ± 198 nm, respectively, and characterized by FESEM (field emission scanning electron microscopy) and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared). The interaction of hFOBs (human fetal osteoblasts) and nanofibrous substrates were analysed for cell morphology (FESEM), mineralization [ARS (Alizarin Red-S) staining], quantification of minerals and finally identified the elements present in Chit/HA/osteoblasts by EDX (energy-dispersive X-ray) analysis. EDX analysis confirmed that the spherulites contain calcium and phosphorus, the major constituents in calcium phosphate apatite, the mineral phase of the bone. Mineralization was increased significantly (P<0.001) up to 108% in Chit/HA compared with Chit nanofibres. These results confirmed that the electrospun composite Chit/HA nanofibrous substrate is a potential biocomposite material for the proliferation and mineralization of hFOBs required for enhanced bone tissue regeneration.     

Permeability analysis of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Porous artificial bone substitutes, especially bone scaffolds coupled with osteobiologics, have been developed as an alternative to the traditional bone grafts. The bone scaffold should have a set of properties to provide mechanical support and simultaneously promote tissue regeneration. Among these properties, scaffold permeability is a determinant factor as it plays a major role in the ability for cells to penetrate the porous media and for nutrients to diffuse. Thus, the aim of this work is to characterize the permeability of the scaffold microstructure, using both computational and experimental methods. Computationally, permeability was estimated by homogenization methods applied to the problem of a fluid flow through a porous media. These homogenized permeability properties are compared with those obtained experimentally. For this purpose a simple experimental setup was used to test scaffolds built using Solid Free Form techniques. The obtained results show a linear correlation between the computational and the experimental permeability. Also, this study showed that permeability encompasses the influence of both porosity and pore size on mass transport, thus indicating its importance as a design parameter. This work indicates that the mathematical approach used to determine permeability may be useful as a scaffold design tool.     

Preparation, characterization and antimicrobial activity of a bio-composite scaffold containing chitosan/nano-hydroxyapatite/nano-silver for bone tissue engineering

In this study, a bio-composite scaffold containing chitosan/nano-hydroxyapatite/nano-silver particles (CS/nHAp/nAg) was developed by freeze drying technique, followed by introduction of silver ions in controlled amount through reduction phenomenon by functional groups of chitosan. The scaffolds were characterized using SEM, FT-IR, XRD, swelling, and biodegradation studies. The testing of the prepared scaffolds with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains showed antibacterial activity. The scaffold materials were also found to be non-toxic to rat osteoprogenitor cells and human osteosarcoma cell line. Thus, these results suggested that CS/nHAp/nAg bio-composite scaffolds have the potential in controlling implant associated bacterial infection during reconstructive surgery of bone.     

Preparation and characterization of chitosan-based nanoparticles

The present investigation describes the synthesis and characterization of novel biodegradable nanoparticles based on chitosan for biomedical applications. Natural di- and tricarboxylic acids were used for intramolecular cross-linking of the chitosan linear chains. The condensation reaction of carboxylic groups and pendant amino groups of chitosan was performed by using water-soluble carbodiimide. This method allows the formation of polycations, polyanions, and polyampholyte nanoparticles. The prepared nanosystems were stable in aqueous media at low pH, neutral, and mild alkaline conditions. The structure of products was determined by NMR spectroscopy, and the particle size was identified by laser light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. It was found that particle size depends on the pH, but at a given pH, it was independent of the ratio of cross-linking and the cross-linking agent. Particle size measured by TEM varied in the range 60-280 nm. In the swollen state, the average size of the particles measured by DLS was in the range 270-370 nm depending on the pH. The biodegradable cross-linked chitosan nanoparticles, as solutions or dispersions in aqueous media, might be useful for various biomedical applications.     

Silk fibroin/hydroxyapatite composites for bone tissue engineering

Silk fibroin (SF) is a natural fibrous polymer with strong potential for many biomedical applications. SF has attracted interest in the field of bone tissue engineering due to its extraordinary characteristics in terms of elasticity, flexibility, biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, low osteogenic capacity has limited applications for SF in the orthopedic arena unless suitably functionalized. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a well-established bioceramic with biocompatibility and appropriate for constructing orthopedic and dental substitutes. However, HAp ceramics tend to be brittle which can restrict applications in the repair of load-bearing tissues such as bones. Therefore, blending SF and HAp combines the useful properties of both materials as bone constructs for tissue engineering, the subject of this review.     

Chitosan sponges as tissue engineering scaffolds for bone formation

Rat calvarial osteoblasts were grown in porous chitosan sponges fabricated by freeze drying. The prepared chitosan sponges had a porous structure with a 100-200 microm pore diameter, which allowed cell proliferation. Cell density, alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition were monitored for up to 56 d culture. Cell numbers were 4 x 10(6) (day 1), 11 x 10(6) (day 28) and 12 x 10(6) (day 56) per g sponge. Calcium depositions were 9 (day 1), 40 (day 28) and 48 (day 56) microg per sponge. Histological results corroborated that bone formation within the sponges had occurred. These results show that chitosan sponges can be used as effective scaffolding materials for tissue engineered bone formation in vitro.