title: Enhancing the biological performance of osteoconductive nanocomposite scaffolds through negative voltage electrospinning.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate negative voltage electrospinning of fibrous nanocomposite scaffolds bearing negative electric charges (N-poled), and determine whether and how retained negative charges could influence the biological performance of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.
  
  
  METHODS
  Poly(D,L-lactic acid) was used as the polymer matrix and carbonated hydroxyapatite nanospheres were the osteoconductive phase in the electrospun nanocomposite scaffolds. N-poled nanocomposite scaffolds were formed using negative voltage electrospinning, while conventional positive voltage electrospinning produced fibrous nanocomposite scaffolds bearing positive electric charges (P-poled). N-poled and P-poled scaffolds were systematically characterized and their biological performance was investigated through in vitro cell culture experiments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  N-poled and P-poled scaffolds retained charges for different periods of time after electrospinning. Both types of scaffolds supported cell spreading and promoted filopodia formation. Compared with P-poled scaffolds, N-poled scaffolds enhanced cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization. N-poled scaffolds offer distinct advantages for bone tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Ho-Wang
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; D017886:Durapatite