Osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells on substituted calcium phosphate/chitosan composite scaffold

Ionic substitutions are a promising strategy to enhance the biological performance of calcium phosphates (CaP) and composite materials for bone tissue engineering applications. However, systematic studies have not been performed on multi-substituted organic/inorganic scaffolds. In this work, highly porous composite scaffolds based on CaPs substituted with Sr2+, Mg2+, Zn2+ and SeO32- ions, and chitosan have been prepared by freezegelation technique. The scaffolds have shown highly porous structure, with very well interconnected pores and homogeneously dispersed CaPs, and high stability during 28 days in the degradation medium. Osteogenic potential of human mesenchymal stem cells seeded on scaffolds has been determined by histological, immunohistochemical and RT-qPCR analysis of cultured cells in static and dynamic conditions. Results indicated that ionic substitutions have a beneficial effect on cells and tissues. The scaffolds with multi-substituted CaPs have shown increased expression of osteogenesis related markers and increased phosphate deposits, compared to the scaffolds with non-substituted CaPs.

Automated summary

Ionic substitutions in composite materials have shown promising potential in enhancing the biological performance for bone tissue engineering applications. This study focused on multi-substituted organic/inorganic scaffolds and demonstrated that these scaffolds have high stability and can promote osteogenic potential of human mesenchymal stem cells. Results highlighted the beneficial effect of ionic substitutions on cells and tissues.