Enhancing osteoblast differentiation through small molecule-incorporated engineered nanofibrous scaffold

Objective This study aimed to investigate the effect of small molecules incorporated into the engineered nanofibrous scaffold to enhance the osteoblast differentiation Materials and methods Poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PCL) nanofiber matrices with lithium chloride (LiCl) were fabricated using the electrospinning technique. Scaffolds were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX). Scaffolds were seeded with MC3T3-E1 cells and assessed using Western blots (beta-catenin), alamarBlue assay (proliferation), qPCR (osteoblast differentiation), and mineralization (Alizarin Red staining). Results We observed LiCl nanofiber scaffolds induced concentration-dependent cell proliferation that correlated with an increased beta-catenin expression indicating sustained Wnt signaling. Next, we examined osteoblast differentiation markers such as osteocalcin (OCN) and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and noted increased expression in LiCl nanofiber scaffolds. We also noted increased bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2, 4, and 7) expressions suggesting activated Wnt can promote cures to further osteogenic differentiation. Finally, Alizarin Red staining demonstrated increased mineral deposition in LiCl-incorporated nanofiber scaffolds. Conclusions Together, these results indicated that LiCl-incorporated nanofiber scaffolds enhance osteoblast differentiation.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated that LiCl-incorporated nanofiber scaffolds can enhance osteoblast differentiation by promoting cell proliferation and increasing expression of proteins associated with osteogenesis.