The responses of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on polycaprolactone-based scaffolds: an in vitro study

Polycaprolactone (PCL) has been investigated as an alternative synthetic polymeric scaffold for tissue engineering application. In this study, the biological responses of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) on PCL-based scaffolds were investigated in vitro. The hADSCs were isolated and characterized. Solvent casting and particulate leaching method was employed as the fabrication method for PCL-based scaffolds. Here, we illustrated that the isolated hADSCs exhibited fibroblast-like morphology, formed colonies in culture, and expressed several stem cell markers. Moreover, the differentiation potency toward adipogenic, neurogenic and osteogenic lineage was noted when cultured in the specific conditions. Polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite composite scaffold (PCL/HA) supported hADSCs attachment better than PCL scaffolds. Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase enzymatic activity and mineral deposition were greater on PCL/HA than PCL. Together, this present study illustrates the potential utilization of PCL/HA and hADSC for bone tissue engineering.