Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering Research Laboratory, Center for Structural and Functional Materials, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, LA 70504-4130, USA.
Acta Biomater. 2011 May;7(5):2163-75. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2011.01.029. Epub 2011 Feb 1.
We describe the first study of structure-processing-property relationship in organic/inorganic hybrid network structure nanocomposite scaffolds based on grafted chitosan for bone tissue engineering. Chitosan was first grafted with propylene oxide to form hydroxypropylated chitosan, which was subsequently linked with ethylene glycol functionalized nanohydroxyapatite to form an organic/inorganic network structure. The resulting scaffold was characterized by a highly porous structure and significantly superior physico-chemical, mechanical and biological properties compared to pure chitosan. The scaffolds exhibited high modulus, controlled swelling behavior and reduced water uptake, but the water retention ability was similar to pure chitosan scaffold. MTT assay studies confirmed the non-cytotoxic nature of the scaffolds and enabled degradation products to be analyzed. The nanocomposite scaffolds were biocompatible and supported adhesion, spreading, proliferation and viability of osteoblasts cells. Furthermore, the cells were able to infiltrate and colonize into the pores of the scaffolds and establish cell-cell interactions. The study suggests that hydroxypropylation of chitosan and forming a network structure with a nano-inorganic constituent is a promising approach for enhancing physico-chemical, functional and biological properties for utilization in bone tissue engineering applications.
我们描述了首例基于接枝壳聚糖的有机/无机杂化网络结构纳米复合支架的结构-加工-性能关系的研究，用于骨组织工程。壳聚糖首先与环氧丙烷接枝，形成羟丙基壳聚糖，然后与乙二醇功能化纳米羟基磷灰石相连，形成有机/无机网络结构。与纯壳聚糖相比，所得支架具有高度多孔的结构和显著优越的物理化学、机械和生物学性能。支架表现出高模量、控制溶胀行为和减少吸水率，但保水能力与纯壳聚糖支架相似。MTT 测定研究证实了支架的非细胞毒性性质，并能够分析降解产物。纳米复合支架具有生物相容性，支持成骨细胞的黏附、铺展、增殖和活力。此外，细胞能够渗透和定植到支架的孔隙中，并建立细胞-细胞相互作用。该研究表明，壳聚糖的羟丙基化和与纳米无机成分形成网络结构是一种有前途的方法，可用于增强物理化学、功能和生物学性质，用于骨组织工程应用。
