Fabricating Microporous Nano Silver Bacterial Cellulose Scaffolds Using a Laser‐cutting Instrument for Bone Tissue Regeneration

Abstract

Advanced biomaterials that mimic the properties of native tissue, possess antibacterial properties, and permit stem cells to adhere and differentiate are of paramount importance in the development of stem cell therapies for bone defects. As such, the objective of this study was to prepare and characterize human-derived bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) seeded on reproducible, microporous, nano silver bacterial cellulose (BC) scaffolds fabricated using a laser-cutting instrument. Biocompatible BC was synthesized using the bacterium Gluconacetobacter sucrofermentans. To introduce controlled and highly reproducible micropores that will permit diffusion of nutrients into the scaffold, a laser-cutting instrument was used. To improve the antimicrobial properties of the scaffold, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were added to the scaffolds. The degradation, chemical, mechanical and morphological properties of the resulting composites were characterized. In vitro hMSCs proliferation and differentiation on the scaffolds were analyzed. Reproducible microporous BC scaffolds were successfully generated. As the concentration of AgNP increased on the BC scaffolds, the rate of hMSCs proliferation decreased. Cells were functional and differentiated on the scaffolds. In summary, microporous nano silver BC scaffolds supported the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs in vitro, allowing for their future potential use for biomedical engineering therapies. This study was supported by Northeastern University. Pelagie Favi is grateful for Northeastern University's ADVANCE Future Faculty Postdoctoral Fellowship (sponsored by NSF Grant #0811170).