Optimization of Electrospun Polylactide-Based Ultrathin Fibers for Osteoconductive Bone Scaffolds

Bone tissue interfacial scaffolds, which encourage cell growth, are critical determinants for clinical success after implant surgery. Over the years, a number of resorbable configurations have emerged for bone cell support and growth, but only a few have demonstrated clinical efficacy. Polymer coatings produced by electrospinning are regarded as very promising bone interfaces because of the ultrathin-scaled dimensions of its physical structure. In this study, the morphology, composition, thermal properties, and cell growth viability of a number of polylactide-based systems containing different binary and ternary formulations of this biomaterial with collagen and commercial hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were characterized. The best performance in terms of biocompatibility was obtained for the tricomponent system in which the submicron fibers were further subjected to uniaxial orientation process during formation. The in vitro proliferation of the cells, which harbored on these ultrathin-structured mats, was examined by means of a metabolic activity indicator and ensured by means of scanning electron microscopy, and cell anchorage was checked by fluorescent optical microscopy. Finally, the optimum tricomponent material was successfully sterilized for the first time by gamma radiation without noticeable losses in cell-seeding capacity. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 122: 914-925, 2011