Electrospun Bio-Nanocomposite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering by Cellulose Nanocrystals Reinforcing Maleic Anhydride Grafted PLA

Abstract

Electrospun fibrous bio-nanocomposite scaffolds reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were fabricated by using maleic anhydride (MAH) grafted poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as matrix with improved interfacial adhesion between the two components. Morphological, thermal, mechanical, and in vitro degradation properties as well as basic cytocompatibility using human adult adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) of MAH grafted PLA/CNC (i.e., MPLA/CNC) scaffolds were characterized. Morphological investigation indicated that the diameter and polydispersity of electrospun MPLA/CNC nanofibers were reduced with the increased CNC content. The addition of CNCs improved both the thermal stability and mechanical properties of MPLA/CNC composites. The MPLA/CNC scaffolds at the 5 wt % CNC loading level showed not only superior tensile strength (more than 10 MPa), but also improved stability during in vitro degradation compared with the MPLA and PLA/CNC counterparts. Moreover, the fibrous MPLA/CNC composite scaffolds were non-toxic to hASCs and capable of supporting cell proliferation. This study demonstrates that fibrous MPLA/CNC bio-nanocomposite scaffolds are biodegradable, cytocompatible, and possess useful mechanical properties for bone tissue engineering.

Adipose mesenchymal stem cells in the field of bone tissue engineering

“…Many types of materials have been used to confirm these positive hASC characteristics, which have become available for scaffoldassisted bone regeneration in a variety of tissue engineering strategies. The importance of the scaffold in hASC osteogenesis has been demonstrated in a number of studies that recommend the use of different materials, including ceramics [73] , titan alloys [74,75] , natural and synthetic polymers [76,77] , and natural or semi-synthetic grafts [78,79] , with variable porosity, roughness, and methods of fabrication for future regenerative applications. A clear trend has emerged toward the use of composite scaffolds due to their superior properties and structures [80][81][82] derived from the combination of two or more materials [83][84][85][86][87] .…”

Cellulose nanofiber–titania nanocomposites as potential drug delivery systems for dermal applications

“…Nanocomposites based on nanocellulose, nano-or microfibrilliar cellulose, cellulose nanofibers are new generation nanomaterials possessing wide range of practical applications in such domains as pharmacology 1 and medicine 2 , tissue engineering [3][4][5] , biosensors 6 , microfluidics elements 7 , materials for microencapsulation 8 and drug delivery [9][10][11][12] , as permoselective membranes 13 , and as a barrier to protect mucosal tissues 14,15 . The nanoscale cellulose possesses a whole complex of unique properties typical for nanomaterials in general, such as high specific surface area, enhanced chemical reactivity, high mechanical durability, together with biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxicity, which make it an excellent candidate for drug release applications.…”

Melt Free-Radical Grafting of Maleic Anhydride onto Biodegradable Poly(lactic acid) by Using Styrene as A Comonomer

“…Electrospun fibrous bio-nanocomposite scaffolds reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were fabricated by using MA grafted PLA as a matrix. The interfacial adhesion between the CNC and PLA was improved by the graft of MA, leading to superior tensile strength [16]. PLA-g-MA was also widely used as a compatibilizer in the compounding of PLA and hydrophilic polymer/additives such as starch [5][6][7], cellulose nano-whiskers (CNWs), clay [17] and protein [18], to improve the performances of their blends.…”