Nano-hydroxyapatite/cellulose composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering

Abstract

Bone engineering via synthetic biomaterials implies the interplay of various agents including a synthetic scaffold, bone progenitor cells and growth factors. To perform successfully the ideal scaffold should be a 3D interconnected porous structure promoting cell adhesion, proliferation and vascularisation and allowing bioactive substances to be supplied to incorporated or ingrown cells. The present work explores the preparation and characterization of cellulose/hydroxyapatite composite structures for bone tissue regeneration in maxillofacial region and their osteoblastic cytocompatibility. Cellulose/hydroxyapatite porous scaffolds were produced by freeze drying suspensions of cellulose and chemically synthesized hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. Experimental parameters including cellulose concentration, pre-lyophilisation condition, and hydroxyapatite nanoparticle morphology were used to manipulate scaffold porosity, micron- and nano-scale topography. The biological characterization of cellulose/hydroxyapatite composites was conducted with MG-63 human osteoblastic-cells. The obtained freezedried bodies are highly porous, with pore size ranging from micron to nanometric scale. Furthermore, assayed composites revealed improved biological profile, by enhancing the adhesion, poliferation and functional activity of seeded osteoblastic-like cells. Attained results substantiate the suitable application of cellulose//hydroxyapatite scaffolds in bone tissue engineering applications