title: Fabrication of PLLA/β-TCP nanocomposite scaffolds with hierarchical porosity for bone tissue engineering.
abstract: Polymer and ceramic composite scaffolds play a crucial role in bone tissue engineering. In an attempt to mimic the architecture of natural extracellular matrix (ECM), poly(l-lactic acid)/β-tricalcium phosphate (PLLA/β-TCP) nanocomposite scaffolds with a hierarchical pore structure were fabricated by combining thermal induced phase separation and salt leaching techniques. The nanocomposite scaffold consisted of a nanofibrous PLLA matrix with a highly interconnected, high porosity (>93%) hierarchical pore structure with pore diameters ranging from 500nm to 300μm and a homogeneously distributed β-TCP nanoparticle phase. The nanofibrous PLLA matrix had a fiber diameter of 70-300nm. The nanocomposite scaffolds possess three levels of hierarchical structure: (1) porosity; (2) nanofibrous PLLA struts comprising the pore walls; and (3) β-TCP nanoparticle phase. The β-TCP nanoparticle phase improved the mechanical properties and bioactivity of the PLLA matrix. The nanocomposite scaffolds supported MG-63 osteoblast proliferation, penetration, and ECM deposition, indicating the potential of PLLA/β-TCP nanocomposite scaffolds with hierarchical porosity for bone tissue engineering applications.
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Environmental Science, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao 266071, China. Electronic address: taolou72@aliyun.com.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Environmental Science, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao 266071, China. Electronic address: wangxjlt@aliyun.com.
authors.forename: Xuejun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Environmental Science, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao 266071, China.
authors.forename: Guojun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Environmental Science, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao 266071, China.
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Environmental Science, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao 266071, China.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D019245:Compressive Strength; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D044367:Phase Transition; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D013696:Temperature; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; C485817:beta-tricalcium phosphate; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)
keywords: Bone tissue engineering; Hierarchical; Nano; PLLA; β-TCP