Flexible Yttrium-Stabilized Zirconia Nanofibers Offer Bioactive Cues for Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Abstract

Currently, the main drawback of ceramic scaffolds used in hard tissue regeneration is their low mechanical strength. Stabilized zirconia, especially the tetragonal 3% yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) phase, has been considered as a bioinert ceramic material with high mechanical strength. In the present work, flexible nanofibrous YSZ scaffolds were prepared by electrospinning. The obtained scaffolds showed remarkable flexibility at the macroscopic scale, while retaining their stiffness at the microscopic scale. The surface nanoroughness of the scaffolds could be tailored by varying the heat treatment method. Our results demonstrate that the osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of seeded human mesenchymal stromal cells were supported by the nanofibrous YSZ scaffolds, in contrast to the well-known bioinert behavior of bulk YSZ. These findings highlight that flexible ceramic scaffolds are an appealing alternative to the current brittle ceramics for bone tissue regeneration applications.

Graphene Oxide Hybridized nHAC/PLGA Scaffolds Facilitate the Proliferation of MC3T3-E1 Cells

“…Roughness has important effect on cell proliferation and differentiation. The surface with rough surface was beneficial to the cell proliferation and differentiation [ 37 – 39 ]. The line profiles (Fig.…”

Topography of calcium phosphate ceramics regulates primary cilia length and TGF receptor recruitment associated with osteogenesis

“…hBMSCs from three donors were isolated from bone marrow aspirates with as previously described [13], [24], [25]. In brief, aspirates from the donors were re-suspended using a 20 G needle, plated at a density of 5 × 10 5  cells/cm 2 and cultured in proliferation media (PM) for expansion.…”

Morphology and Mechanical Properties of 3Y-TZP Nanofiber Mats

“…The effect of the calcination temperature on the elastic modulus is non-monotonous with the highest value observed for the mats calcined at 900 °C. It is known that material flexibility decreases with a rise in the elastic modulus [ 11 ]. With the increase in calcination temperature interfiber junctions began to form at the cross-points of the nanofibers due to partial sintering that negatively affected nanofibers freedom of movement and respectively led to a mat flexibility decrease and its elastic modulus increase, observing in the experiments.…”

“…Different functional nanofibers can be produced using electrospinning, for instance, polymer, composite, ceramic, metallic and carbon [8]. Among ceramic nanofibers zirconia nanofibers occupy a particular place due to excellent thermal and chemical stabilities, oxygen ion conductivity, polymorphism, amphoteric surface properties of ZrO 2 that, along with a high aspect ratio and a large specific surface area inherent in nanofibers, makes zirconia nanofibers promising for catalytic application [9], air purification [10], bone tissue regeneration [11], solid oxide fuel cells [12], gas sensing [13], electromagnetic interference shielding [14], etc. However, for any zirconia nanofiber mats application their mechanical characteristics, in particular strength and flexibility, are important.…”

“…However, if calcination temperatures are not too high it is possible to fabricate flexible and strength enough ceramic nanofiber mats. In [ 11 ] the 3Y-TZP nanofiber mat calcined at 850 °C had better flexibility compared to traditional bulk 3Y-TZP ceramics. In [ 16 , 17 ] flexible mats of electrospun TiO 2 and TiO 2 -SiO 2 nanofibers were also fabricated and that the calcination temperatures used did not exceed 700 °C.…”