title: Poly(ester-urethane) scaffolds: effect of structure on properties and osteogenic activity of stem cells.
abstract: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of structure (design and porosity) on the matrix stiffness and osteogenic activity of stem cells cultured on poly(ester-urethane) (PEU) scaffolds. Different three-dimensional (3D) forms of scaffold were prepared from lysine-based PEU using traditional salt-leaching and advanced bioplotting techniques. The resulting scaffolds were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury porosimetry and mechanical testing. The scaffolds had various pore sizes with different designs, and all were thermally stable up to 300 °C. In vitro tests, carried out using rat bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) for bone tissue engineering, demonstrated better viability and higher cell proliferation on bioplotted scaffolds compared to salt-leached ones, most probably due to their larger and interconnected pores and stiffer nature, as shown by higher compressive moduli, which were measured by compression testing. Similarly, SEM, von Kossa staining and EDX analyses indicated higher amounts of calcium deposition on bioplotted scaffolds during cell culture. It was concluded that the design with larger interconnected porosity and stiffness has an effect on the osteogenic activity of the stem cells.
authors.affiliation: BIOMATEN-Centre of Excellence in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey.|Graduate Department of Biotechnology, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey.|Central Laboratory, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aysel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kiziltay
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marcos-Fernandez
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: San Roman
authors.affiliation: 3Bs Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Universidade do Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal.|ICVS/3Bs PT Government Associated Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rui A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.affiliation: 3Bs Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Universidade do Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal.|ICVS/3Bs PT Government Associated Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rui L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.affiliation: BIOMATEN-Centre of Excellence in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey.|Graduate Department of Biotechnology, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey.|Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Vasif
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hasirci
authors.affiliation: BIOMATEN-Centre of Excellence in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey.|Graduate Department of Biotechnology, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey.|Department of Chemistry, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nesrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hasirci
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D002417:Cattle; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D019245:Compressive Strength; D008239:Lysine / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012492:Salts / Q000737:chemistry; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000737:chemistry; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012492:Salts; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D008628:Mercury; D008239:Lysine
keywords: bone marrow stem cells; osteogenic activity; poly(ester-urethane); porosity; scaffold; stiffness