Electrospun ultrathin PBAT/nHAp fibers influenced the in vitro and in vivo osteogenesis and improved the mechanical properties of neoformed bone

Author(s)

Santana-Melo, Gabriela F. ; Rodrigues, Bruno V. M. ; da Silva, Edmundo ; Ricci, Ritchelli ; Marciano, Fernanda R. ; Webster, Thomas J. ; Vasconcellos, Luana M. R. ; Lobo, Anderson O.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES; v. 155, p. 544-552, JUL 1 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 15

Abstract

Combining polyester scaffolds with synthetic nanohydroxyapatite (nHAp), which is bioactive and osteoconductive, is a plausible strategy to improve bone regeneration. Here, we propose the combination of PBAT {[}poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate)] and synthetic nHAp (at 3 and 5 wt%). PBAT is a relatively a new polymer with low crystallinity and attractive biodegradability and mechanical properties for orthopedic applications, however, with a still underexplored potential for in vivo applications. Then, we performed a careful biological in vitro and in vivo set of experiments to evaluate the influence of PBAT containing two different nHAp loads. For in vitro assays, osteoblast-like MG63 cells were used and the bioactivity and gene expression related to osteogenesis were evaluated by qRT-PCR. For in vivo experiments, twenty-four male rats were used and a tibial defect model was applied to insert the scaffolds. Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) and histological analysis were used to assess e bone neoformation after 6 weeks of implantation. Three point flexural tests measured the mechanical properties of the neoformed bone. All scaffolds showed promising in vitro properties, since they were not cytotoxic against MG-63 cells and promoted high cell proliferation and formation of mineralized nodules. From a mechanistic point-of-view, nHAp loading increased hydrophilicity, which in turn allowed for a better adsorption of proteins and consequent changes in the phenotypic expression of osteoblasts. nHAp induced better cellular responses on/in the scaffolds, which was mainly attributed to its osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. Micro-CT images showed that nHAp at 3% and 5 wt% led to more effective bone formation, presenting the highest bone volume after 6 weeks of implantation. Considering the three point flexural tests, 5 wt% of nHAp positively influenced the flexural mode of the neoformed bone, but the stiffness was similar between the 3% and 5 wt% groups. In summary, this investigation demonstrated great potential for the application of these novel scaffolds towards bone regeneration and, thus, should be further studied. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved, (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/17877-7 - Development of new polymeric scaffolds by electrospinning technique with incorporation of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes and nanohidroxyapatite for bone tissue regeneration
• Grantee: Anderson de Oliveira Lobo
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/20345-7 - Study of nanoparticle-incorporated diamond-like carbon films for biomedical applications
• Grantee: Fernanda Roberta Marciano
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/09697-0 - Electrospinning of novel functional nanobiomaterials based on peptides and bottlebrush polymers for tissue engineering
• Grantee: Anderson de Oliveira Lobo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• FAPESP's process: 15/08523-8 - Development of a fluorescent nanosensor from the electrospinning of PVA and graphene quantum dots: application in the detection of Alzheimer's biomarkers
• Grantee: Bruno Vinícius Manzolli Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 16/00575-1 - Functional biomembranes based on peptides and bottlebrush polymers to tissue engineering
• Grantee: Fernanda Roberta Marciano
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research