Characterization, biocompatibility and osteogenic effect of poli(ε-caprolactone) derived composite nanofibrous scaffolds

GONZALEZ MELLIAN, EMANUEL; CAMAL RUGGIERI, IVÁN; SPERONI, FRANCA; SANTIAGO, OCTAVIO; STUR, MARIELA; RENOU, SANDRA; OLMEDO, DANIEL; RIVERO, GUADALUPE; ABRAHAM, GUSTAVO A.; FELDMAN, SARA

Mar del Plata

Congreso; XII Latin-American Congress of Artificial Organs and Biomaterials; 2023

INTEMA - LABOATEM

Introduction and objective: Composite electrospun nanofiber matrices have emerged as promising scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. These matrices offer several advantages, including providing structural support and mimicking the intricate architecture of native tissue, which facilitates cellular growth and tissue regeneration [1]. This study aims to investigate the biocompatibility and osteogenicity in vivo of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and hydroxyapatite (nHAp) nanoparticles with and without the surface immobilization of osteostatin (S-O and S). Osteostatin, a pentapeptide 107-111 of the parathyroid hormone (PTHrP 107-111), was used to increase the healing potential of composite scaffolds [2].Methodology: The scaffolds were electrospun from PCL solutions with nHAp nanoparticles in glacial acetic acid, and later sterilized with peracetic acid and UV radiation. Membranes were inspected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Osteostatin immobilization was performed to produce S-O scaffolds.In vivo studies were performed in 18 rabbits, divided in 3 groups A, B, C (n=6). A and B underwent surgery for a 10 mm Ø bone defect in each parietal bone of the calvarium: in A the left side was implanted with S and in B with S-O scaffolds. In both A and B groups the right defect did not receive any implant. In C no surgery was performed. Clinical, biochemical, tomographic studies (To) and post-mortem histopathological characterization (Hi) were performed.Results and discussion: Electrospun composite membranes exhibited homogenous nanofibrous morphology. Peracetic acid treatment increased the membranes surface hydrophilicity. TEM showed most of the inorganic nanoparticles completely incorporated inside the nanofibers. Additional characterizations were already reported. There were no intergroup differences observed the clinical surveys and biochemical studies carried out after three months surgery. To showed that neither A nor B had retraction of the surrounding tissue on the implanted side. Images compatible with mineralized tissue were observed, the density being higher in the implanted area of B than of A. Hi indicated that no inflammatory infiltrate associated with either S or S-O scaffolds was observed. In both A and B, the injured areas without implants, as expected, showed very little new bone formation. A in the implanted side with S, showed little new bone formation, both in the center and in the peripheral zone of the implant. B in the implanted side with S-O showed spaces with clear new bone formation both in the periphery and in the central zone of the defect. In groups A and B, negative spaces were observed on the injured sides that received implants, corresponding to the biomaterial with associated multinucleated giant cells; this phenomenon was less in group B than in group A.Conclusions: The findings suggest that the implanted scaffolds, particularly those with immobilized osteostatin, promote new bone formation and exhibit good biocompatibility in the tested cases. The materials´ adequate biocompatibility and osteogenic potential warrant further investigation and encourage their potential application in regenerative medicine.