Thermally induced self-agglomeration 3D scaffolds with BMP-2-loaded core–shell fibers for enhanced osteogenic differentiation of rat adipose-derived stem cells

Abstract

Introduction

Scaffold structure plays a vital role in cell behaviors. Compared with two-dimensional structure, 3D scaffolds can mimic natural extracellular matrix (ECM) and promote cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. The combination of osteoconductive scaffolds and osteoinductive growth factors is considered to have synergistic effects on bone regeneration.

Materials and methods

In this study, core–shell poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)/polycaprolactone (PCL)–BMP-2 (PP–B) fibrous scaffolds were prepared through coaxial electrospinning. Next, we fabricated 3D scaffolds based on PP–B fibers with thermally induced self-agglomeration (TISA) method and compared with conventional PLGA/PCL scaffolds in terms of scaffold morphology and BMP-2 release behaviors. Then, rat adipose-derived stem cells (rADSCs) were seeded on the scaffolds, and the effects on cell proliferation, cell morphology, and osteogenic differentiation of rADSCs were detected.

Results

The results demonstrated that 3D scaffold incorporated with BMP-2 significantly increased proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rADSCs, followed by PP–B group.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that scaffolds with 3D structure and osteoinductive growth factors have great potential in bone tissue engineering.

Keywords:

• BMP-2
• core–shell scaffolds
• 3D fibrous scaffolds
• osteogenic differentiation

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the State Key Research and Development Project, China (2016YFA020 1704/2016YFA0201700), and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD, 2014-37).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.