Biomimetic reduced graphene oxide coated collagen scaffold for in situ bone regeneration

Sajad Bahrami,Mostafa Shahrezaee,Nafiseh Baheiraei

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-96271-1

Sajad Bahrami, Mostafa Shahrezaee + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96271-1

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Abstract

A variety of bone-related diseases and injures and limitations of traditional regeneration methods require new tissue substitutes. Tissue engineering and regeneration combined with nanomedicine can provide different natural or synthetic and combined scaffolds with bone mimicking properties for implantation in the injured area. In this study, we synthesized collagen (Col) and reduced graphene oxide coated collagen (Col-rGO) scaffolds, and we evaluated their in vitro and in vivo effects on bone tissue repair. Col and Col-rGO scaffolds were synthesized by chemical crosslinking and freeze-drying methods. The surface topography, and the mechanical and chemical properties of scaffolds were characterized, showing three-dimensional (3D) porous scaffolds and successful coating of rGO on Col. The rGO coating enhanced the mechanical strength of Col-rGO scaffolds to a greater extent than Col scaffolds by 2.8 times. Furthermore, Col-rGO scaffolds confirmed that graphene addition induced no cytotoxic effects and enhanced the viability and proliferation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) with 3D adherence and expansion. Finally, scaffold implantation into rabbit cranial bone defects for 12 weeks showed increased bone formation, confirmed by Hematoxylin–Eosin (H&E) and alizarin red staining. Overall, the study showed that rGO coating improves Col scaffold properties and could be a promising implant for bone injuries.

Highlights

Due to their abundance, biocompatibility, biodegradability, high porosity, hydrophilicity and low a ntigenicity[6,9]
Alginatechitosan-Col based composite scaffolds consisting of graphene oxide (GO) fabricated by a chemical crosslinking method increased mechanical properties compared to a non-crosslinked method and a method without GO counterparts[17]
GO is a graphene layer decorated with oxygen-containing functionalities that are reduced in reduced graphene oxide

Summary

Introduction

Due to their abundance, biocompatibility, biodegradability, high porosity, hydrophilicity and low a ntigenicity[6,9]. Arakawa et al fabricated photocrosslinkable methacrylated glycol chitosan (MeGC) and Col hydrogel and showed enhanced bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMMSC) attachment, spreading, proliferation, and osteogenic d ifferentiation[11]. It has been found that Bioglass 45S5 (BG) incorporated methacrylated Col 3D printed constructs allow improved stability, reduced swelling of Col hydrogels, enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity of stem cells, and cell-mediated calcium d eposition[13] In this regard, carbon nanomaterials like graphene derivatives could be advantageous. Alginatechitosan-Col based composite scaffolds consisting of graphene oxide (GO) fabricated by a chemical crosslinking method increased mechanical properties compared to a non-crosslinked method and a method without GO counterparts[17]. Wua et al.[20] reported that the osteoinductive properties of graphene enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) films cultured with BMMSCs. Better in vivo guiding bone regeneration showed by graphene-PLGA in defective implants than the PLGA group. Bone formation studies were performed by implanting scaffolds into rabbit cranial bone defects

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Conclusion