Improved proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells on polyaniline composited by polyethersulfone nanofibers

Abstract

Tissue engineering is a promising emerged method trying to reconstruct lost tissues that using synthetic and biomaterials and their combination with cells. The purpose of this study is increase osteoinductivity of polyethersulfone (PES) by using polyaniline (PANi). In this study, after fabrication of PES and composited PES–PANi scaffolds by electrospinning, scaffolds were characterized morphologically and mechanically. Then osteoinductivity of scaffolds was investigated by osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cultured on the PES and PES–PANI in comparison to the tissue culture polystyrene as a control. The Osteogenic potential of MSCs was evaluated by Alizarin Red staining, ALP activity, calcium content assay and bone related gene expression assay. Scaffolds were smooth, bead free and in the scale of nanometers and PES mechanical stability was decreased significantly after composite with PANi. Highest growth, ALP activity and deposited calcium of cells were observed in the PES–PANi groups compared to the PES and TCPS. Significantly higher expression of collagen type one and osteonectin was also detected in the PES–PANi group. It can be concluded that PES–PANi construct has potential to be a good candidate as bone grafting substitute and using in tissue engineering applications.