Comparison of Polymer/Ceramic Composite Scaffolds for In Vitro Osteogenic Differentiation of Canine Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

In this study, the roll-sheet type scaffold was proposed because it can be applied as an appropriate size and attached cells more than block-type or sylindrical scaffolds. And components of scaffolds have been known to influence the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The aim of study was to evaluate the in vitro osteogenic ability of canine adipose tissue-derived MSCs on roll-sheet scaffolds composed of poly ε-caprolactone (PCL), as well as PCL/hydroxyapatite (PCL/HAp) and PCL/beta-tricalcium phosphate (PCL/β-TCP) composites. The scaffolds were prepared as a disk type system for in vitro evaluation. The affinity and osteogenic ability of MSCs were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, cell proliferation (MTS) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assays, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis of genes related to osteogenic differentiation. The PCL scaffold floated in the media due to its hydrophobic nature, and the PCL/HAp scaffold was brittle. Expressions of runt-domain transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and ALP mRNAs of the cells cultured on the PCL/β-TCP scaffold were initiated significantly earlier compared to expressions initiated on the PCL and PCL/HAp scaffolds. In ALP activity, there were no significant differences among scaffolds. It was determined that the PCL/β-TCP composite is a suitable material to apply as a roll-sheet scaffold in bone tissue engineering.