Development of Fibrin Conjugated Chitosan/Nano beta-TCP Composite Scaffolds with Improved Cell Supportive Property for Bone Tissue Regeneration

摘要

In the present study, an attempt has been made to improve cell supportive property of chitosanano beta tri-calcium phosphate (-TCP) composite scaffolds by modification of scaffold surface with fibrin using ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodimide (EDC) as crosslinking agent. The developed fibrin conjugated chitosanano -TCP composite scaffolds possess desired pore size and porosity in the range of 45-151 mu m and 81.4 +/- 4.1%, respectively. No significant change in compressive strength of scaffolds was observed before and after fibrin conjugation. The calculated compressive strength of fibrin conjugated and non-conjugated chitosanano -TCP scaffolds are 2.71 +/- 0.14 MPa and 2.67 +/- 0.11 MPa, respectively. Results of cell culture study have further shown an enhanced cell attachment, cell number, proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization on fibrin conjugated chitosanano -TCP scaffold. The uniform cell distribution over the scaffold surface and cell infiltration into the scaffold pores were assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Furthermore, higher expression of osteogenic specific genes such as bone sialo protein, osteonectin, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin (OC) on fibrin conjugated scaffolds was observed when compared to scaffolds without fibrin. Altogether, results indicate the potentiality of developed fibrin conjugated composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41534.