Nanocomposite bioactive scaffolds with multiple delivery capabilities for bone tissue engineering

G. GUERRERO; J.P. CATTALINI; K. ZHENG; A. R. BOCCACCINI; V. MOURIÑO

THESSALONIKI

Conferencia; EUROMAT 2017; 2017

Introduction The possibility to add different functionalities to scaffolds for bone regeneration allows incorporating new properties to guide and promote new bone formation [1, 2]. In this regard, an interesting strategy for bone regeneration is to use the scaffold as a controlled delivery system for different agents that play important roles in osteogenesis angiogenesis, and/or prophylaxis against infections, to encourage the integration between the biomaterials and the tissue to be regenerated [3-5]. Metallic ions such as calcium (Ca2+) and copper (Cu2+) stimulate the promotion of bone formation and regeneration, and its vascularization [6]. In addition, gallium (Ga3+) and cerium (Ce2+) have bacteriostatic properties associated with low human toxicity and bacterial resistance [6, 7]. In this study a novel nanocomposite bioactive scaffold exhibiting multiple therapeutic ions delivery capability was developed based on bioactive nanoparticle glass substituted with copper and alginate, which were loaded with calcium (Ca2+), cerium (Ce2+) and gallium (Ga3+).Results and Discussion The resulting composite scaffolds exhibited homogeneous structures, suitable porosity and enough mechanical strength for citocompatibility studies. In addition, the bioactive nature of the scaffolds was confirmed because of the growth of hydroxyapatite crystals on the surface after 14 days in simulated body fluid. The degradation study indicated that scaffolds multiple-crosslinked with Ce2+, Ga3+ and Ca2+ (in that order) seem to be stable over time showing a slow degradation rate. According to the analysis of the release profile of Cu2+ (from the bioactive glass nanoparticles; and Ca2+, Ga3+ and Ce2+ (from the crosslinked polymer), the values of the amount released were within the ranges reported to promote angiogenesis, osteogenesis, angiogenesis and inhibition of bacterial proliferation, respectively. Conclusion The present study is a positive approach to ongoing research into preparing multiple therapeutic drug delivery complexes for bone tissue engineering applications. Further studies are required to characterize the cell response to the scaffolds and their bone forming ability both in vitro and in vivo. References 1. C. Wu, Y. Zhou, M. Xu, P. Han, L. Chen, J. Chang, Y. Xiao. Biomaterials 2013, 34, 422-33.2. R. Ravichandran, S. Gandhi, D. Sundaramurthi, S. Sethuraman, U. Krishnan. J. BiomaterSciPolym 2013, 24, 1988-2005. 3. G. Harris, K. Rutledge, Q. Cheng, J. Blanchette, E. Jabbarzadeh. Curr Pharm Des 2013, 19, 3456-65.4. V. Mouriño, J. Cattalini, J. Roether, P. Dubey, I. Roy, A. R. Boccaccini. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2013, 10, 1353-65.5. V. Mouriño, A. R. Boccaccini, J R Soc Interface 2010, 7, 209-27. 6. V. Mouriño, J. Cattalini, A. R. Boccaccini. J R Soc Interface 2012, 9, 401-19.7. V. Mouriño, P. Newby and A. R. Boccaccini, Adv. Eng. Mater. 2010, 12: B283?B291.