Aiming at improving the biocompatibility of biomaterial scaffolds, surface
modification presents a way to preserve their mechanical properties and to
improve the surface bioactivity. In this work, chondroitin sulfate (CS) was
immobilized at the surface of electrospun poly(caprolactone) nanofiber meshes
(PCL NFMs). The immobilization was performed with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)
carbodiimide (EDC)/N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). Contact Angle,
SEM, Optical Profilometry, FTIR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques
confirmed the CS-immobilization in PCL NFMs. Furthermore, CS-immobilized
PCL NFMs showed lower roughness and higher hydrophilicity than the samples
without CS. Human articular chondrocytes (HACs) were cultured on electrospun
PCL NFMs with or without CS immobilization. It was observed that HACs
proliferated through the entire time course of the experiment in both types of
scaffolds. SEM observations revealed that HACs maintained their typical
morphology and produced extracellular matrix. Glycosaminoglycans
quantification showed increased values over time. Quantitative-PCR of
cartilage-related genes revealed over-expression of Aggrecan, Collagen type II,
COMP and Sox9 on both types of NFMs tested, with higher values for PCL. In
conclusion, CS immobilization in PCL NFM was achieved successfully and
provides a valid platform enabling further surface functionalization methods in
scaffolds to be developed for cartilage tissue engineering