Electrospun Bio-Nanocomposite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue
Engineering by Cellulose Nanocrystals Reinforcing Maleic Anhydride
Grafted PLA
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Abstract
Electrospun
fibrous bio-nanocomposite scaffolds reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals
(CNCs) were fabricated by using maleic anhydride (MAH) grafted poly(lactic
acid) (PLA) as matrix with improved interfacial adhesion between the
two components. Morphological, thermal, mechanical, and in vitro degradation
properties as well as basic cytocompatibility using human adult adipose
derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) of MAH grafted PLA/CNC (i.e.,
MPLA/CNC) scaffolds were characterized. Morphological investigation
indicated that the diameter and polydispersity of electrospun MPLA/CNC
nanofibers were reduced with the increased CNC content. The addition
of CNCs improved both the thermal stability and mechanical properties
of MPLA/CNC composites. The MPLA/CNC scaffolds at the 5 wt % CNC loading
level showed not only superior tensile strength (more than 10 MPa),
but also improved stability during in vitro degradation compared with
the MPLA and PLA/CNC counterparts. Moreover, the fibrous MPLA/CNC
composite scaffolds were non-toxic to hASCs and capable of supporting
cell proliferation. This study demonstrates that fibrous MPLA/CNC
bio-nanocomposite scaffolds are biodegradable, cytocompatible, and
possess useful mechanical properties for bone tissue engineering