Fabrication and Characterization of Electrospun PLGA/MWNTs/Hydroxyapatite Biocomposite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering

Biocomposite scaffolds of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), and hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles were prepared 'by electrospinning' for bone tissue engineering. The structure, surface morphology, and some properties of these PLGA/MWNTs/HA composites were evaluated. Cultured bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were seeded on the PLGA/MWNTs/HA scaffolds, and their attachment and proliferation were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and MTT assay, respectively. The composite scaffolds, a 3D nonwoven fabric construct mimicked the structure of the natural extracellular matrix. The average diameter of the PLGA/MWNTs/HA fibers increased with increasing HA content from 0.5% to 1.5% in the composites. The SEM and MTT results indicated good biocompatibility by the scaffolds, and that the attachment and proliferation of BMSCs were significantly increased in the PLGA/MWNTs/1.0%HA and PLGA/MWNTs/1.5%HA scaffolds compared with the PLGA control. These scaffolds, fabricated by electrospinning, indicate good potential for bone tissue engineering applications.