Coating 3D Printed Polycaprolactone Scaffolds with Nanocellulose Promotes Growth and Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

• 3D printed polycaprolactone (PCL) has potential as a scaffold for bone tissue engineering, but the hydrophobic surface may hinder optimal cell responses. The surface properties can be improved by coating the scaffold with cellulose nanofibrils material (CNF), a multiscale hydrophilic biocompatible biomaterial derived from wood. In this study, human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were cultured on tissue culture plates (TCP) and 3D printed PCL scaffolds coated with CNF. Cellular responses to the surfaces (viability, attachment, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation) were documented. CNF significantly enhanced the hydrophilic properties of PCL scaffolds and promoted protein adsorption. Live/dead staining and lactate dehydrogenase release assays confirmed that CNF did not inhibit cellular viability. The CNF between the 3D printed PCL strands and pores acted as a hydrophilic barrier, enhancing cell seeding efficiency, and proliferation. CNF supported the formation of a well-organized actin cytoskeleton and cellular production of vinculin protein on the surfaces of TCP and PCL scaffolds. Moreover, CNF-coated surfaces enhanced not only alkaline phosphatase activity, but also collagen Type-I and mineral formation. It is concluded that CNF coating enhances cell attachment, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation and has the potential to improve the performance of 3D printed PCL scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Polymerkemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Polymer Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Biocompatibility

Bone

Cell culture

Cell engineering

Cellulose

Coatings

Hydrophilicity

Hydrophobicity

Nanocellulose

Phosphatases

Polycaprolactone

Scaffolds (biology)

Stem cells

Surface chemistry

Tissue

Tissue culture

Transmission control protocol

Wood

Alkaline phosphatase activity

Bone tissue engineering

Cellulose nanofibrils

Human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells

Hydrophilic properties

Lactate dehydrogenase

Osteogenic differentiation

Polycaprolactone scaffolds

3D printers

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)