The application of type II collagen and chondroitin sulfate grafted PCL porous scaffold in cartilage tissue engineering

Abstract

This study investigates a poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-graft-type II collagen-graft-chondroitin sulfate (PCL-g-COL-g-CS) biomaterial as a scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering. Biodegradable polyester, PCL, was utilized to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) porous scaffolds by particulate leaching. The PCL scaffold was then surface modified by chemical bonding of 1,6-hexanediamine and the grafting of a bioactive polymer layer of COL and CS with the help of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl- aminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC)/N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) on the modified PCL surface to produce PCL-g-COL and PCL-g-COL-g-CS, respectively. The characteristics of these modified and grafted matrices were examined by ESCA, aminolysis, collagen and CS assay, porosity and water-binding capacity. Grafted COL and CS markedly increased water-binding capacity, and promoted the spreading and growth of chondrocytes. During a 4-week culture period, PCL-g-COL and PCL-g-COL-g-CS matrices both provided more cell proliferation, as determined by measuring the DNA assay. Additionally, a larger amount of secreted collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) appeared in the PCL-g-COL-g-CS matrices than in the control (PCL) as indicated by the histochemical sections via Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain, Masson trichrome stain and Safranin-O stain. The chondrocytes were induced to function normally; the cell phenotype was maintained, and the GAGs and collagen in the PCL-g-COL-g-CS scaffold were secreted in vitro. These results serve as a basis for future studies of the fabrication process and reveal the potential biocompatibility of the biomimetic matrix for regenerating articular cartilage or other organs.

Fibronectin immobilization on to robotic-dispensed nanobioactive glass/polycaprolactone scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

“…In addition to the pore structure design, a nanocomposite approach of using both organic matrix and inorganic nanocomponent can provide scaffolds that mimic native bone tissue composition (Chang et al 2010). Inorganic nanocomponents improve not only bone-bioactivity but also mechanical properties of polymeric matrices.…”

Biodegradable polymers for dental tissue engineering and regeneration

“…CHS stimulates the metabolic response of cartilage [390], possesses anti-inflammatory properties [391], and connects cells to extracellular matrix components [392]. CHS is extensively studied as a hydrogel for wound dressings and cartilage tissue engineering, [393] alone or in association with other biodegradable polymers [394,395]. For dental applications, Sawatjui et al fabricated a three-dimensional silk fibroin/gelatin-chondroitin sulfate-hyaluronic acid (SF-GCH) scaffold and showed that it promotes proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells by providing a supportive structure and the mimetic cartilage environment for chondrogenesis which enables cartilage regeneration [396].…”

Novel nano-rough polymers for cartilage tissue engineering

“…19 Polylactones or polycaprolactone (PCL) are two other widely studied synthetic polymers for cartilage repair. [20][21][22][23][24] PCL is a semicrystalline polymer with a glass transition temperature of about −60°C. The polymer has a low melting temperature (59°C-64°C) and is compatible with a range of other polymers.…”

“…Blends with other polymers, block copolymers, and low-molecular weight polyols and macromers based on the caprolactone backbone are a few possible strategies. 24 However, these synthetic polymers, in the form they are used today, do not mimic the nanotopographical features that collagen and other extracellular matrix proteins create in cartilage tissue. In the pursuit of more "cell-friendly" polymeric surfaces, many physical and chemical methods have been developed to increase surface tension and surface roughness.…”