title: Fabrication of Poly(ε-caprolactone) Scaffolds Reinforced with Cellulose Nanofibers, with and without the Addition of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles.
abstract: Biomaterial properties and controlled architecture of scaffolds are essential features to provide an adequate biological and mechanical support for tissue regeneration, mimicking the ingrowth tissues. In this study, a bioextrusion system was used to produce 3D biodegradable scaffolds with controlled architecture, comprising three types of constructs: (i) poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) matrix as reference; (ii) PCL-based matrix reinforced with cellulose nanofibers (CNF); and (iii) PCL-based matrix reinforced with CNF and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HANP). The effect of the addition and/or combination of CNF and HANP into the polymeric matrix of PCL was investigated, with the effects of the biomaterial composition on the constructs (morphological, thermal, and mechanical performances) being analysed. Scaffolds were produced using a single lay-down pattern of 0/90°, with the same processing parameters among all constructs being assured. The performed morphological analyses showed a satisfactory distribution of CNF within the polymer matrix and high reliability was obtained among the produced scaffolds. Significant effects on surface wettability and thermal properties were observed, among scaffolds. Regarding the mechanical properties, higher scaffold stiffness in the reinforced scaffolds was obtained. Results from the cytotoxicity assay suggest that all the composite scaffolds presented good biocompatibility. The results of this first study on cellulose and hydroxyapatite reinforced constructs with controlled architecture clearly demonstrate the potential of these 3D composite constructs for cell cultivation with enhanced mechanical properties.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5956-9790
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morouço
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2609-6878
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biscaia
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal.
authors.forename: Tânia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Viana
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal.
authors.forename: Margarida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal; Coimbra Institute of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cândida
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Malça
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal.
authors.forename: Artur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mateus
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal; Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences and Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moura
authors.affiliation: Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences and Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Frederico C
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5177-6237
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal.
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal.
authors.forename: Nuno M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Alves
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D012038:Regeneration; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D017155:Wettability
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; C016240:polycaprolactone; D002482:Cellulose; D017886:Durapatite