title: Design of novel three-phase PCL/TZ-HA biomaterials for use in bone regeneration applications.
abstract: The design of bioactive scaffold materials able to guide cellular processes involved in new-tissue genesis is key determinant in bone tissue engineering. The aim of this study was the design and characterization of novel multi-phase biomaterials to be processed for the fabrication of 3D porous scaffolds able to provide a temporary biocompatible substrate for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. The biomaterials were prepared by blending poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) with thermoplastic zein (TZ), a thermoplastic material obtained by de novo thermoplasticization of zein. Furthermore, to bioactivate the scaffolds, microparticles of osteoconductive hydroxyapatite (HA) were dispersed within the organic phases. Results demonstrated that materials and formulations strongly affected the micro-structural properties and hydrophilicity of the scaffolds and, therefore, had a pivotal role in guiding cell/scaffold interaction. In particular, if compared to neat PCL, PCL-HA composite and PCL/TZ blend, the three-phase PCL/TZ-HA showed improved MSCs adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation capability, thus demonstrating potential for bone regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Italian Institute of Technology, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy. asalerno@unina.it
authors.forename: Aurelio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salerno
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oliviero
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Di Maio
authors.forename: Paolo A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Netti
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rofani
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colosimo
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Guida
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dallapiccola
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Palma
authors.forename: Emidio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Procaccini
authors.forename: Anna C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Berardi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Velardi
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teti
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iannace
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011817:Rabbits; D015028:Zein / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; D015028:Zein; D017886:Durapatite