Nano-Structured Ridged Micro-Filaments (≥100 μm Diameter) Produced Using a Single Step Strategy for Improved Bone Cell Adhesion and Proliferation in Textile Scaffolds

Textile scaffolds that are either 2D or 3D with tunable shapes and pore sizes can be made through textile processing (weaving, knitting, braiding, nonwovens) using microfilaments. However, these filaments lack nano-topographical features to improve bone cell adhesion and proliferation. Moreover, the diameter of such filaments should be higher than that used for classical textiles (10-30 mu m) to enable adhesion and the efficient spreading of the osteoblast cell (>30 mu m diameter). We report, for the first time, the fabrication of biodegradable nanostructured cylindrical PLLA (poly-L-Lactic acid) microfilaments of diameters 100 mu m and 230 mu m, using a single step melt-spinning process for straightforward integration of nano-scale ridge-like structures oriented in the fiber length direction. Appropriate drawing speed and temperature used during the filament spinning allowed for the creation of instabilities giving rise to nanofibrillar ridges, as observed by AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy). These micro-filaments were hydrophobic, and had reduced crystallinity and mechanical strength, but could still be processed into 2D/3D textile scaffolds of various shapes. Biological tests carried out on the woven scaffolds made from these nano-structured micro filaments showed excellent human bone cell MG 63 adhesion and proliferation, better than on smooth 30 mu m- diameter fibers. Elongated filopodia of the osteoblast, intimately anchored to the nano-structured filaments, was observed. The filaments also induced in vitro osteogenic expression, as shown by the expression of osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein after 21 days of culture. This work deals with the fabrication of a new generation of nano-structured micro-filament for use as scaffolds of different shapes suited for bone cell engineering.

Automated summary

Textile scaffolds made through textile processing lack nano-topographical features to improve bone cell adhesion and proliferation. In this study, biodegradable nanostructured PLLA microfilaments with diameters of 100μm and 230μm were fabricated using a single step melt-spinning process, and showed excellent biological performance better than smooth fibers.