Preparation and characterization of a three dimensional porous poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/mesoporous silica nanoparticles scaffold by low-temperature deposition manufacturing

Abstract

In this study, we introduced mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) to prepare a novel three dimensional (3D) porous scaffold by low-temperature deposition manufacturing (LDM). During the scaffolds preparing process, LDM managed to fabricate scaffolds with 3D geometry and desirable big pore structures but not damage the bioactivity of biomaterials. In the subsequent freeze-drying process, the as-fabricated scaffolds produced small pore structures due to the phase separation process. The scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, hydrophilicity, porosity and mechanical test. The mean diameters of big pores were 445 ± 50 μm and 431 ± 32 μm, and those of small pores were 11 ± 3 μm and 8 ± 2 μm for PLGA and PLGA/MSNs scaffolds, respectively. Hydrophilicity examination revealed enhanced hydrophilicity of the composite scaffolds. Besides, the incorporation of MSNs also improves the mechanical property of the composites. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were seeded on scaffolds for 3, 5, and 7 days. CCK-8 assay revealed that the introduction of MSNs improved cell proliferation. The adhesion and growth of cells on PLGA/MSNs scaffolds were enhanced over time during culturing period when compared to that on PLGA scaffolds. The results suggested that the 3D-printed PLGA/MSNs scaffolds are promising in cartilage tissue engineering.