Fabrication and Characterization of Gelatin/Calcium Phosphate Electrospun Composite Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Although bone tissue has a unique healing capacity that does not induce scar tissue formation, complex fractures can lead to delayed healing. Tissue engineering offers strategies to aid healing bone defects using customized bone substitutes. In this work, nanofibrous scaffolds of gelatin and calcium phosphate were fabricated by electrospinning. Calcium phosphate was prepared from natural hydroxyapatite by acid treatment, and calcium phosphate particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The samples showed peaks that allowed those belonging to the hydroxyapatite phase with a crystallinity degree ranging from 60 to 75 % to be identified. Dynamic light scattering revealed 32 % nanoparticles in the sample. The morphology, diameter, elements, physical properties, degradability and bioactivity of the composite scaffolds were investigated. The cytocompatibility of the scaffolds was assessed in the NIH3T3 and U2OS cells. The results showed that gelatin/calcium phosphate scaffolds had a nanofibrillar structure that was maintained after 20 days post-immersion, with swelling and porosity values being 1565 % and 85 %, respectively. There was no cytotoxicity to NIH3T3 and cell adhesion, spreading, and proliferation of U2OS cells took place. In addition, the gelatin/calcium phosphate scaffold exhibited good bioactivity when immersed in simulated body fluid. Thus, the gelatin/calcium phosphate electrospun scaffolds could be a potential material for bone regeneration.