title: Fabrication, characterization and cell cultures on a novel composite chitosan-nano-hydroxyapatite scaffold.
abstract: This paper deals with the characterizations made during the development of a nano-HAp loaded chitosan scaffold, obtained by the freeze-drying technique combined with a novel in situ crystal growth method. The nano-composites were characterized by a highly porous and interconnected structure. The XRD patterns and calculated domain sizes of the HAp nano-crystals nucleated on the chitosan scaffolds are very similar to the ones recorded for deproteinated bone apatite. Both osteoblasts (MG63) and mesenchimal cells (hMSC) were showing good proliferation and adhesion onto the scaffolds. The presence of extensive filopodia and excellent spreading in and around the interconnected porous structure, indicated a strong cellular adhesion and growth. Moreover a good hMSC osteogenic differentiation has been verified. The observations related to well-developed structure morphology, physicochemical properties and high cytocompatibility suggest that the obtained chitosan-nHA porous scaffolds are potential candidate materials for bone regeneration.
authors.affiliation: GHIMAS S.p.A., MeLab, Cittadella della Ricerca, SS7 per Mesagne, Brindisi, Italy. barbarapalazzo@gmail.com
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Palazzo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casillo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nitti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ambrosio
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Piconi
mesh_terms: D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000502:physiology; D016062:Porosity; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D018786:Bone Substitutes; D048271:Chitosan; D017886:Durapatite