Dextran hydrogels incorporated with bioactive glass-ceramic: Nanocomposite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Abstract

A series of nanocomposite scaffolds comprised of dextran (Dex) and sol-gel derived bioactive glass ceramic nanoparticles (nBGC: 0-16 (wt%)) were fabricated as bioactive scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Scanning electron microscopy showed Dex/nBGC scaffolds were consisting of a porous 3D microstructure with an average pore size of 240 μm. Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy illustrated nBGC nanoparticles were homogenously distributed within the Dex matrix at low nBGC content (2 wt%), while agglomeration was observed at higher nBGC contents. It was found that the osmotic pressure and nBGC agglomeration at higher nBGC contents leads to increased water uptake, then reduction of the compressive modulus. Bioactivity of Dex/nBGC scaffolds was validated through apatite formation after submersion in the simulated body fluid. Dex/nBGC composite scaffolds were found to show improved human osteoblasts (HOBs) proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity with increasing nBGC content up to 16 (wt%) over two weeks. Owing to favorable physicochemical and bioactivity properties, the Dex/nBGC composite hydrogels can be offered as promising bioactive scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications.

Dextran‐based hydrogel with enhanced mechanical performance via covalent and non‐covalent cross‐linking units carrying adipose‐derived stem cells toward vascularized bone tissue engineering

“…On the contrary, unlike the dissipation function of hydrophobic association in hydrogel, strong and stable hydrophobic association was proposed in the present study to restrict the hydrophilic swollen network, so to endow the hydrogels with high strength and elastic behavior. In this regard, the hydrophilic nature of dextran make it available in hydrogels construction, exhibiting remarkable biological and physi‐chemical properties . Poly (ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), possesses biocompatibility, was used biomaterials in several studies for its well performed mechanical properties .…”

“…In this regard, the hydrophilic nature of dextran make it available in hydrogels construction, exhibiting remarkable biological and physichemical properties. [16][17][18] Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL), possesses biocompatibility, was used biomaterials in several studies for its well performed mechanical properties. 13,34,35 Thus, it was worth and challenging to develop appropriate methods to enhance the hydrophobic association of PCL.…”

“…Dextran is a water soluble and DMSO soluble plysaccharide with non-toxic and biocompatibility, performing well as the blood plasma substitute and drug delivery matrix. [16][17][18] Because of the hydrophilic nature, dextran can be cross-linked to form hydrogel. Also, the abundant hydroxy groups are available to be modified.…”

Natural Polymeric Scaffolds in Bone Regeneration

“…Finally, other polysaccharides (like dextran, cellulose, starch, carrageenans, or agarose) and proteins (like heparin or chondroitin sulfate) with relevance for BTE, are listed in Table 3 (Chung and Park, 2007;Martins et al, 2009;Garg et al, 2012;Khan and Ahmad, 2013;Sayin et al, 2014;Shi et al, 2016;Farrugia et al, 2018;Nikpour et al, 2018;Sofi et al, 2018;Witzler et al, 2019;Yegappan et al, 2019). Physico-mechanical characteristics of various composites based on natural polymers are compared in Table 4.…”

Microfluidic fabrication of microcarriers with sequential delivery of VEGF and BMP-2 for bone regeneration

“…Manipulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment to mimic the cell niche is a promising approach to enhance stem cell based clinical regenerative outcomes 19 , 20 . The niche highly dynamic key components comprise direct interactions between stem cells and secreted signaling molecules—ECM physical and chemical cues, along with environmental changes such as hypoxia 19 – 21 .…”