title: 3D conductive nanocomposite scaffold for bone tissue engineering.
abstract: Bone healing can be significantly expedited by applying electrical stimuli in the injured region. Therefore, a three-dimensional (3D) ceramic conductive tissue engineering scaffold for large bone defects that can locally deliver the electrical stimuli is highly desired. In the present study, 3D conductive scaffolds were prepared by employing a biocompatible conductive polymer, ie, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(4-styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), in the optimized nanocomposite of gelatin and bioactive glass. For in vitro analysis, adult human mesenchymal stem cells were seeded in the scaffolds. Material characterizations using hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance, in vitro degradation, as well as thermal and mechanical analysis showed that incorporation of PEDOT:PSS increased the physiochemical stability of the composite, resulting in improved mechanical properties and biodegradation resistance. The outcomes indicate that PEDOT:PSS and polypeptide chains have close interaction, most likely by forming salt bridges between arginine side chains and sulfonate groups. The morphology of the scaffolds and cultured human mesenchymal stem cells were observed and analyzed via scanning electron microscope, micro-computed tomography, and confocal fluorescent microscope. Increasing the concentration of the conductive polymer in the scaffold enhanced the cell viability, indicating the improved microstructure of the scaffolds or boosted electrical signaling among cells. These results show that these conductive scaffolds are not only structurally more favorable for bone tissue engineering, but also can be a step forward in combining the tissue engineering techniques with the method of enhancing the bone healing by electrical stimuli.
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
authors.forename: Aref
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shahini
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yazdimamaghani
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
authors.forename: Margaret A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Eastman
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
authors.forename: Hamed
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hatami-Marbini
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
authors.forename: Brenda J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomaterials and Biomimetics, New York University, New York, NY.
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
authors.forename: Sundar V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Madihally
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
authors.forename: Daryoosh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vashaee
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA ; School of Material Science and Engineering, Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center, Oklahoma State University, Tulsa, OK, USA.
authors.forename: Lobat
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tayebi
mesh_terms: D001846:Bone Development / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
keywords: PEDOT:PSS; bioactive glass nanoparticles; bone scaffold; conductive polymers; conductive scaffold; gelatin