title: Optimization of the activation and nucleation steps in the precipitation of a calcium phosphate primer layer on electrospun poly(ɛ-caprolactone).
abstract: The present study aimed to optimize the procedure for coating electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibers with a calcium phosphate (CP) layer in order to improve their potential as bone tissue engineering scaffold. In particular, attention was paid to the reproducibility of the procedure, the morphology of the coating, and the preservation of the porous structure of the scaffold. Ethanol dipping followed by an ultrasonic assisted hydrolysis of the fiber surface with sodium hydroxide solution efficiently activated the surface. The resulting reactive groups served as nucleation points for CP precipitation, induced by alternate dipping of the samples in calcium and phosphate rich solutions. By controlling the deposition, a reproducible thin layer of CP was grown onto the fiber surface. The deposited CP was identified as calcium-deficient apatite (CDHAp). Analysis of the cell viability, adhesion, and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells on untreated and CDHAp coated PCL scaffolds showed that the CDHAp coating enhanced the cell response, as the number of attached cells was higher in comparison to the untreated PCL and cells on the CDHAp coated samples showed similar morphologies as the ones found in the positive control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Biomaterials Group, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Luickx
authors.forename: Natasja
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Van den Vreken
authors.forename: Willem
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: D'Oosterlinck
authors.forename: Lien
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van der Schueren
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Declercq
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: De Clerck
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cornelissen
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verbeeck
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; C020243:calcium phosphate
keywords: calcium phosphate; coating; electrospinning; nanofibers; poly(ɛ-caprolactone)