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ABSTRACT: In this study, we developed novel thermoresponsive microcarriers as a powerful tool for cell culture and tissue engineering applications. For this purpose, two types of commercially available spherical microparticles (approximately 100μm in diameter), dextran-based Sephadex® and vinyl acetate-based VA-OH (Biosynth®), were used and themoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) was grafted to the beads' surfaces by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). Initially, hydroxyl groups of microbeads were reacted with 2-bromopropionyl bromide to form ATRP macroinitiator. Then, NIPAAm was successfully polymerized from the initiator attached microbeads by ATRP with CuBr/2,2'-dipyridyl, catalyst complex. Furthermore, grafted and ungrafted microbeads were characterized by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). The results of characterization studies confirmed that PNIPAAm was successfully grafted onto both dextran and vinyl acetate-based beads by means of ATRP reaction and thus, grafted microbeads gained thermoresponsive characteristics which will be evaluated for cell harvesting in further studies.
Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications. 07/2013; 33(5):3033-40.
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to prepare a novel wound dressing material which provides burst release of an antibiotic in combination with sustained release of growth factor delivery. This might be beneficial for the prevention of infections and to stimulate wound healing. As a wound dressing material, the semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) hydrogel based on polyacrylamide (PAAm) and chitosan (CS) was synthesized via free radical polymerization. Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate was used for cross-linking of PAAm to form semi-IPN hydrogel. The hydrogel shows high water content (∼1800%, in dry basis) and stable swelling characteristics in the pH range of the wound media (∼4.0-7.4). The antibiotic, piperacillin-tazobactam, which belongs to the penicillin group was loaded into the hydrogel. The therapeutic serum dose of piperacillin-tazobactam for topic introduction was reached at 1st hour of the release. Additionally, in order to increase the mitogenic activity of hydrogel, epidermal growth factor (EGF) was embedded into the CS-PAAm in different amounts. Cell culture studies were performed with L929 mouse fibroblasts and the simulated cell growth was investigated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The successful sustained release behavior of CS-PAAm hydrogel for EGF maintained the presence of EGF in the culture up to 5 days and the highest mitochondrial activities were recorded for the 0.4 μg EGF-loaded/mg of hydrogel group. In conclusion, CS-PAAm semi-IPN hydrogel loaded with piperacillin-tazobactam and EGF could be proposed for an effective system in wound-healing management.
Journal of Biomaterials Science Polymer Edition 05/2013; 24(7):807-19. · 1.69 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In this study, a novel scaffold fabrication method was developed by combining microwave irradiation and gas foaming. Chitosan superporous hydrogels (SPHs) and chitosan-hydroxyapatite (HA) superporous hydrogel composites (SPHCs) were prepared by using this method in the presence of crosslinking agent, glyoxal, and a gas-blowing agent, NaHCO(3) . In order to examine the effect of HA on composite structure and cellular behaviour, two types of HA particles, i.e. spherical beads in 45-80 µm diameter and powder form, were used. While rapid heating with microwave irradiation enhances gas blowing, pH increment, which is accelerated by NaHCO(3) decomposition, provides better crosslinking. Thus, interconnected and well-established macroporous hydrogels/hydrogel composites were produced easily and rapidly (~1 min). Cell culture studies, which were carried out under static and dynamic conditions with MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cells, indicated that chitosan-HA bead SPHCs supported cellular proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation better than chitosan SPHs and chitosan-HA powder SPHCs. In conclusion, simultaneous gas foaming and microwave crosslinking can be evaluated for the preparation of composite scaffolds which have superior properties for bone tissue engineering. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 12/2012; · 3.28 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Electrospinning was used as an effective route to pattern chitosan (CS) and polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes with submicron fibers having different chemical structure (PCL or PCL/collagen) and physical characteristics (size: between ≈200 and 550 nm; randomly oriented or aligned form). While the PCL fibers with diameters in the same range (≈200 nm) were patterned on both of CS and PCL membranes to evaluate the influence of the underlying membrane chemistry, only CS membranes were patterned with PCL fibers having different sizes simply by changing the electrospinning conditions to investigate the effects of pattern characteristics. Furthermore, collagen was added to the PCL fiber structure to change the chemical composition of the fibers in a cell-attractive way. Two cell lines with different morphologies, fibroblastic MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts and epithelial Madine Darby Bovine Kidney (MDBK) cells, were cultured on the patterned membranes. The observation of cellular behavior in terms of cell morphology and F-actin synthesis was realized by scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy analysis during the first 12 h of culture period. The viability of cells was controlled by MTT assay through 96 h of cell culture. The cell culture studies indicated that the leading aspect for the morphology change on patterned membranes was the fiber orientation. The aligned topography controlled the morphology of cells both on CS and PCL membranes. In the presence of collagen in the fiber structure, F-actin filament synthesis increased for MC3T3-E1 and MDBK cell lines. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 100A:3332-3343, 2012.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A 06/2012; 100(12):3332-43. · 2.63 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to develop an effective growth factor releasing scaffold-microsphere system for promoting periodontal tissue engineering. Bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6)-loaded alginate microspheres in narrow size distribution were produced by optimising electrospraying conditions. The addition of these microspheres to chitosan gels produced a novel scaffold in which not only the pore sizes and interconnectivity were preserved, but also a controlled release vehicle was generated. Loading capacity was adjusted as 50 ng or 100 ng BMP-6 for each scaffold and the controlled release behaviour of BMP-6 from chitosan scaffolds was observed during seven days. Cell culture studies were carried out with rat mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow in three groups; chitosan scaffolds, chitosan scaffolds containing BMP-6-loaded alginate microspheres and chitosan scaffolds with free BMP-6 in culture medium. Results showed that controlled delivery of BMP-6 from alginate microspheres has a significant effect on osteogenic differentiation.
Journal of Microencapsulation 05/2012; · 1.55 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In this study, poly(acrylamide), poly(AAm), and poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid), poly(AAm-co-AA) superporous hydrogels (SPHs) were synthesized by radical polymerization in the presence of gas blowing agent, sodium bicarbonate. In addition, ionically crosslinked chitosan (CH) superporous hydrogels were synthesized to form interpenetrating superporous hydrogels, i.e. poly(AAm)-CH and poly(AAm-co-AA)-CH SPH-IPNs. The hydrogels have a structure of interconnected pores with pore sizes of approximately 100-150 μm. Although the extent of swelling increased when AA were incorporated to the poly(AAm) structure, the time to reach the equilibrium swelling (~30 s) was not affected so much. In the presence of chitosan network mechanical properties significantly improved when compared with SPHs, however, equilibrium swelling time (~30 min) was prolonged significantly as due to the lower porosities and pore sizes of SPH-IPNs than that of SPHs. Model protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) was loaded into SPHs and SPH-IPNs by solvent sorption in very short time (<1 h) and very high capacities (~30-300 mg BSA/g dry gel) when compared to conventional hydrogels. BSA release profiles from SPHs and SPH-IPNs were characterized by an initial burst of protein during the first 20 min followed by a completed release within 1 h. However, total releasable amount of BSA from SPH-IPNs was lower than that of SPHs as due to the electrostatic interactions between chitosan and BSA.
Journal of Materials Science Materials in Medicine 09/2011; 22(11):2467-75. · 2.32 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Fetal chondrocytes (FCs) have recently been identified as an alternative cell source for cartilage tissue engineering applications because of their partially chondrogenically differentiated phenotype and developmental plasticity. In this study, chondrocytes derived from fetal bovine cartilage were characterized and then cultured on commercially available Cytodex-1 and Biosilon microcarriers and thermosensitive poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate)-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PHEMA-PNIPAAm) beads produced by us. Growth kinetics of FCs were estimated by means of specific growth rate and metabolic activity assay. Cell detachment from thermosensitive microcarriers was induced by cold treatment at 4 °C for 20 min or enzymatic treatment was applied for the detachment of cells from Cytodex-1 and Biosilon. Although attachment efficiency and proliferation of FCs on PHEMA-PNIPAAm beads were lower than that of commercial Cytodex-1 and Biosilon microcarriers, these beads also supported growth of FCs. Detached cells from thermosensitive beads by cold induction exhibited a normal proliferative activity. Our results indicated that Cytodex-1 microcarrier was the most suitable material for the production of FCs in high capacity, however, 'thermosensitive microcarrier model' could be considered as an attractive solution to the process scale up for cartilage tissue engineering by improving surface characteristics of PHEMA-PNIPAAm beads.
Cytotechnology 08/2011; 63(6):633-43. · 1.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In this study, the relationship between the cellular morphology and the material surface topography was investigated. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) membranes were prepared in a wide range of surface wettabilities by means of crystallinity-controlled solvent casting process. Membrane surfaces were characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and static/dynamic water contact angle measurements. It was found that solvent evaporation and non-solvent (methanol) addition to the solvent (THF) are the most decisive parameters to change the surface topography. The non-solvent addition and the decrease in solvent evaporation temperature from room temperature to -20 °C caused increased polymeric chain mobility and crystallization time. Such changes in crystallization parameters led to the formation of micro/nano-sized features on the membrane. Cell culture studies indicated that in contrast to Madin Darby kidney (MDBK) epithelial cells, L929 mouse fibroblast preferred rough and porous surfaces.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 06/2011; 358(2):444-53. · 3.07 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In this study, nanofibrous matrices of polycaprolactone (PCL) and PCL/collagen with immobilized epidermal growth factor (EGF) were successfully fabricated by electrospinning for the purpose of damaged skin regeneration. Nanofiber diameters were found to be 284 ± 48 nm for PCL and 330 ± 104 nm for PCL/collagen matrices. The porosities were calculated as 85% for PCL and 90% for PCL/collagen matrices. The covalent immobilization of EGF onto the nanofibrous matrices was verified by the increase of surface atomic nitrogen ratio from 1.0 to 2.4% for PCL and from 3.7 to 4.7% for PCL/collagen. Moreover, EGF immobilization efficiencies of PCL and PCL/collagen matrices were determined as 98.5 and 99.2%, respectively. Human dermal keratinocytes (HS2) were cultivated on both neat and EGF immobilized PCL and PCL/collagen matrices to investigate the effects of matrix chemical composition and presence of EGF on cell proliferation and differentiation. EGF immobilized PCL/collagen matrices exerted early cell spreading and rapid proliferation. Statistically high expression levels of loricrin in HS2 cells cultivated on EGF immobilized PCL/collagen matrices were (p < 0.001) regarding superior differentiation ability of these cells compared to HS2 cells cultured on neat PCL and PCL/collagen matrices. In conclusion, this novel EGF immobilized PCL/collagen nanofibrous matrix could potentially be considered as an alternative dermal substitutes and wound healing material for skin tissue engineering applications.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A 06/2011; 98(3):461-72. · 2.63 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Tissue engineered cartilage can be grown in vitro with the use of cell-scaffold constructs and bioreactors. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of perfusion bioreactors on the chondrogenic potential of engineered constructs prepared from porous silk fibroin scaffolds seeded with human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived mesencyhmal stem cells (MSCs). After four weeks of incubation, constructs cultured in perfusion bioreactors showed significantly higher amounts of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) (p < 0.001), DNA (p < 0.001), total collagen (p < 0.01), and collagen II (p < 0.01) in comparison to static culture. Mechanical stiffness of constructs increased 3.7-fold under dynamic culture conditions and RT-PCR results concluded that cells cultured in perfusion bioreactors highly expressed (p < 0.001) cartilage-related genes when compared with static culture. Distinct differences were noted in tissue morphology, including polygonal extracellular matrix structure of engineered constructs in thin superficial zones and an inner zone under static and dynamic conditions, respectively. The results suggest that the utility of perfusion bioreactors to modulate the growth of tissue-engineered cartilage and enhance tissue growth in vitro.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A 01/2011; 96(1):21-8. · 2.63 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In this study, low pressure water/O₂ plasma treatment was performed in order to obtain COOH functionalities on the surface of poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) membranes as well as non-woven polyester fabric (NWPF) discs. The plasma treatments were performed in a cylindrical, capacitively coupled RF-plasma-reactor and then following steps were performed: in situ (oxalyl chloride vapors) gas/solid reaction to convert -OH functionalities into -COCl groups; and hydrolysis under open laboratory conditions using air moisture for final-COOH functionalities. COOH and OH functionalities on modified surfaces were detected quantitatively by using fluorescent labeling technique and an UVX 300G sensor. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) was used to evaluate the relative surface atomic compositions and the carbon and oxygen linkages located in non-equivalent atomic positions of untreated and modified surfaces. Atomic force microscope (AFM) analysis showed that nanoscale features of the PCL surfaces are dramatically changed during the surface treatments. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results indicated the changes in the relatively smooth appearance of the untreated NWPF discs after the plasma treatment. Periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts were used in cell culture studies. Cell culture results showed that plasma treated PCL membranes and NWPF discs were favorable for the PDL cell spreading, growth and viability due to the presence of functional groups and/or nanotopographies on their surfaces.
Bio-medical materials and engineering 01/2011; 21(2):123-37. · 1.23 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of heparin-functionalized chitosan scaffolds on the activity of preosteoblasts. The chitosan scaffolds having the pore size of ∼100 μm were prepared by a freeze-drying method. Two different methods for immobilization of heparin to chitosan scaffolds were successfully performed. In the first method, functionalization of the scaffolds was achieved by means of electrostatic interactions between negatively charged heparin and positively charged chitosan. The covalent immobilization of heparin to chitosan scaffolds by 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (EDAC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) was used as a second immobilization method. Morphology, proliferation, and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts on heparin-functionalized chitosan scaffolds were investigated in vitro. The results indicate that covalently bound heparin containing chitosan scaffolds (CHC) stimulate osteoblast proliferation compared to other scaffolds, that is, unmodified chitosan scaffolds (CH), electrostatically bound heparin containing chitosan scaffolds (EHC), and CH+free heparin (CHF). SEM images also proved the stimulative effect of covalently bound heparin on the proliferation of preosteoblasts. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OCN) levels of cells proliferated on CHC and EHC were also higher than those for CH and CHF. In vitro studies have demonstrated that chitosan scaffolds increase viability and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells especially in the presence of immobilized heparin.
Carbohydrate research 12/2010; 346(5):606-13. · 2.03 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of a rotating-wall perfused-vessel (RWPV) bioreactor is performed to characterize the complex hydrodynamic environment for the simulation of cartilage development in RWPV bioreactor in the presence of tissue-engineered cartilage constructs, i.e., cell-chitosan scaffolds. Shear stress exerted on chitosan scaffolds in bioreactor was calculated for different rotational velocities in the range of 33-38 rpm. According to the calculations, the lateral and lower surfaces were exposed to 0.07926-0.11069 dyne/cm(2) and 0.05974-0.08345 dyne/cm(2), respectively, while upper surfaces of constructs were exposed to 0.09196-0.12847 dyne/cm(2). Results validate adequate hydrodynamic environment for scaffolds in RWPV bioreactor for cartilage tissue development which concludes the suitability of operational conditions of RWPV bioreactor.
Journal of biotechnology 09/2010; 150(3):389-95. · 2.88 Impact Factor
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Plasma Processes and Polymers 05/2010; 7(7):588 - 600. · 2.47 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to investigate the convenience of bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6)-loaded chitosan scaffolds with preosteoblastic cells for bone tissue engineering. MC3T3-E1 cells were seeded into three different groups: chitosan scaffolds, BMP-6-loaded chitosan scaffolds, and chitosan scaffolds with free BMP-6 in culture medium. Tissue-engineered constructs were characterized by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mineralization assay (von Kossa), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and osteocalcin (OCN) assays. BMP-6-loaded chitosan scaffolds supported proliferation of the MC3T3-E1 mouse osteogenic cells in a similar pattern as the unloaded chitosan scaffolds group and as the chitosan scaffolds with free BMP-6 group. SEM images of the cell-seeded scaffolds revealed significant acceleration of extracellular matrix synthesis in BMP-6-loaded chitosan scaffolds. Both levels of ALP and OCN were higher in BMP-6-loaded chitosan scaffold group compared with the other two groups. In addition, BMP-6-loaded scaffolds showed strong staining in mineralization assays. These findings suggest that BMP-6-loaded chitosan scaffold supports cellular functions of the osteoblastic cells; therefore, this scaffold is considered as a new promising vehicle for bone tissue engineering applications.
Artificial Organs 10/2009; 34(1):65-74. · 2.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We originally investigated the suitability of chitosan scaffolds loaded with bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP-6) in both stationary and dynamic conditions for cartilage tissue engineering. In the first part of the present study, ATDC5 murine chondrogenic cells were seeded in chitosan and BMP-6 loaded chitosan scaffolds and cultured for 28 days under static conditions. In the following part, we examined the influence of dynamic cultivation conditions over BMP-6 loaded chitosan scaffolds by using rotating bioreactor with perfusion (RCMW). Tissue engineered constructs were characterized by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and biochemical assays for glycosaminoglycans (GAG) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and collagen Type II quantification. At the end of 4 weeks static incubation period high levels of GAG (21.22 mg/g dry weight), DNA amounts (1.37 mg/g dry weight) and collagen Type II amounts (1.94 microg/g dry weight) were achieved for BMP-6 loaded chitosan scaffolds compared to chitosan scaffolds. However, the results obtained from morphological observations suggested hypertrophic differentiation of ATDC5 cells in the presence of BMP-6 under stationary conditions. The influence of mechanical stimulation appeared significantly with differentiated cells, cultured under dynamic conditions, showing the effect of retaining their phenotypes without hypertrophy.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering 07/2009; 104(3):601-10. · 3.95 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Immersion of electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofiber mats in calcium phosphate solutions similar to simulated body fluid resulted in deposition of biomimetic calcium phosphate layer on the nanofibers and thus a highly bioactive novel scaffold has been developed for bone tissue engineering. Coatings with adequate integrity, favorable chemistry and morphology were achieved in less than 6h of immersion. In the coating solutions, use of lower concentrations of phosphate sources with respect to the literature values (i.e., 3.62 vs. 10 mM) was substantiated by a thermodynamic modeling approach. Recipe concentration combinations that were away from the calculated dicalcium phosphate phase stability region resulted in micron-sized calcium phosphates with native nanostructures. While the nano/microstructure formed by the deposited calcium phosphate layer is controlled by increasing the solution pH to above 6.5 and increasing the duration of immersion experimentally, the nanostructure imposed by the dimensions of the fibers was controlled by the polymer concentration (12% w/v), applied voltage (25 kV) and capillary tip to collector distance (35 cm). The deposited coating increased quantitatively by extending the soak up to 6h. On the other hand, the porosity values attained in the scaffolds were around 87% and the biomimetic coatings did not alter the nanofiber mat porosities negatively since the deposition continued along the fibers after the first 2h. Upon confirming the non-toxic nature of the electrospun PCL nanofiber mats, the effects of different nano/microstructures formed were evaluated by the osteoblastic activity. The levels of both alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin were found to be higher in the coated PCL nanofibers than in the uncoated PCL nanofibers, indicating that biomimetic calcium phosphate on PCL nanofibers supports osteoblastic differentiation.
Acta biomaterialia 06/2009; 5(8):3098-111. · 3.98 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A scaffold containing growth factors promoting regeneration may be a useful device to maintain periodontal regeneration when applied with appropriate cells. The aim of this study is to evaluate the convenience of chitosan and hydroxyapatite (HA)-chitosan scaffolds loaded with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for periodontal tissue engineering applications. Scaffolds were fabricated by freeze-drying technique using 2 and 3% chitosan gel in the absence or presence of HA particles. Addition of HA beads to chitosan gels produced a novel scaffold in which the pore sizes and interconnectivity were preserved. The scaffolds were loaded with 100 ng bFGF by embedding technique. HA-chitosan scaffolds provide better controlled release kinetics for bFGF compared with chitosan scaffolds and total release continued up to 168 h. Cell culture studies were carried out with periodontal ligament (PDL) cells and cementoblasts. Both 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and confocal laser scanning microscope analysis revealed cells proliferating inside the scaffolds. The results demonstrated that bFGF-loaded HA-chitosan scaffolds provide a suitable three-dimensional environment supporting the cellular structure, proliferation, and mineralization.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A 04/2009; 92(3):953-62. · 2.63 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The main purpose of this study was to obtain COOH functionalities on the surface of poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PCL) membranes using low-pressure water/O(2)-plasma-assisted treatment. PCL membranes were prepared using the solvent-casting technique. Then, low-pressure water/O(2) plasma treatments were performed in a cylindrical, capacitively coupled RF-plasma-reactor in three steps: H(2)O/O(2)-plasma treatment; in situ (oxalyl chloride vapors) gas/solid reaction to convert -OH functionalities into -COCl groups; and hydrolysis for final -COOH functionalities. Optimization of plasma modification processes was done using the DoE software program. COOH and OH functionalities on modified surfaces were detected quantitatively using the fluorescent labeling technique and an UVX 300G sensor. Chemical structural information of untreated, plasma treated and oxalyl chloride functionalized PCL membranes were acquired using pyrolysis GC/MS and ESCA analysis. High-resolution AFM images revealed that nanopatterns were more affected than micropatterns by plasma treatments. AFM images recorded with amino-functionalized tips presented increased size of the features on the surface that suggests higher density of the carboxyls on the nanotopographical elements. Low-pressure water/O(2)-plasma-treated and oxalyl chloride functionalized samples were biologically activated with insulin and/or heparin biosignal molecules using a PEO (polyoxyethylene bis amine) spacer. The success of the immobilization process was checked qualitatively by ESCA analysis. In addition, fluorescent labeling techniques were used for the quantitative determination of immobilized biomolecules. Cell-culture experiments indicated that biomolecule immobilization onto PCL scaffolds was effective on L929 cell adhesion and proliferation, especially in the presence of heparin.
Journal of Biomaterials Science Polymer Edition 02/2009; 20(7-8):1137-62. · 1.69 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Chitosan scaffolds containing dexamethasone (Dex) or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were developed to create alternative drug-delivery systems for possible tissue-engineering applications such as periodontal bone regeneration. Chitosan solutions (2% and 3% (w/v) in acetic acid) were prepared from chitosan flakes with high deacetylation degree (>85%), then these solutions were freeze-dried at -80 degrees C to obtain scaffolds with interconnected pore structures. Dex and bFGF were incorporated into scaffolds by embedding method (solvent sorption method). The initial loading amounts were varied as 300, 600 and 900 ng Dex per dry scaffold (average dry weight is 3 mg) and 50 or 100 ng bFGF per dry scaffold to a range of deliverable doses. Release studies which were conducted in Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (DPBS) showed that 900 ng Dex loaded chitosan scaffolds in both compositions released total Dex during a 5-day period at a nearly constant rate after the initial burst. However, bFGF release from all scaffolds with both loading amounts (50 ng or 100 ng) was completed in 10 or 20 h. In order to prolong the release period of bFGF, composite scaffolds were fabricated in the presence of hydroxyapatite (HA) beads with average particle size of 40 mum. Sustained release of bFGF up to 7 days was achieved due to the electrostatic interactions between HA and bFGF molecules. These results suggested that chitosan scaffolds can be suitable for Dex release; however, the presence of HA in the chitosan scaffold is necessary to achieve the desired release period for bFGF.
Journal of Biomaterials Science Polymer Edition 01/2009; 20(13):1899-914. · 1.69 Impact Factor
