Bioinspired growth of crystalline carbonate apatite on biodegradable polymer substrata

Mineralization in biological systems is a widespread, yet incompletely understood phenomenon involving complex interactions at the biomacromolecule-mineral nucleus interface. This study was aimed at understanding and controlling mineral formation in a poly(alpha-hydroxy ester) model system, to gain insight into biological mineralization processes and to develop biomaterials for orthopaedic tissue regeneration. We specifically hypothesized that providing a high surface density of anionic functional groups would enhance nucleation and growth of bonelike mineral following exposure to simulated body fluids (SBF). Polymer surface functionalization was achieved via hydrolysis of 85:15 poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) films. This treatment led to an increase in surface carboxylic acid and hydroxyl groups, resulting in a substantial increase in polymer surface energy from 42 to 49 dynes/cm2. Treated polymers exhibited a 3-fold increase in heterogeneous mineral grown and growth of a continuous mineral film on the polymer surface. The mineral grown on PLG surfaces is a carbonate apatite, the major mineral component of vertebrate bone tissue. Mineral crystal size and morphology were dependent on the solution characteristics but unaffected by the degree of surface prehydrolysis. The mechanism of heterogeneous carbonate apatite growth was examined via ion binding assays, which indicated that calcium binding is mediated independently by the presence of soluble phosphate counterions and surface functional groups. These findings indicate that poly(alpha-hydroxy ester) materials can be readily mineralized using a biomimetic process, and that the impetus for mineral nucleation in this system appears more complicated than the simple electrostatic interactions proposed in previous biomineralization theory.     

Surface Treatment and Biomimetic Mineralization of Porous Microspheres Fabricated by Calcium Gluconate-g-Poly(D,L-lactide)

Porous hybrid microspheres were fabricated by the synthesized calcium gluconate-g-poly(D,L-lactide) (CG-g-PDLLA) composites.These hybrid microspheres were treated with an alkaline solution for different period of time to control the amount of generated carboxylate groups and remained CG on the surface.The microspheres were then incubated in a supersaturated simulated body fluid (1,5 SBF) solution for different time to investigate their biomimetic mineralization behavior.The depositions were found to have a fine cluster morphology,a similar crystal structure and chemical structure to natural hydroxyapatite,and a medium Ca/P of approximately 1.30.The effect of surface treating time on the structure and mineralization behavior of these microspheres has been discussed in detail.The results indicate that the nucleation and growth of apatite on the surface are influenced by the induced carboxylate groups and the remained CG.The hybrid CG-g-PDLLA microspheres have the potential as a novel alternative in bone tissue engineering.     

Surface treatment and biomimetic mineralization of porous microspheres fabricated by calcium gluconate-<Emphasis Type="Italic">g</Emphasis>-poly(D,L-lactide)

Porous hybrid microspheres were fabricated by the synthesized calcium gluconate-g-poly(D,L-lactide) (CG-g-PDLLA) composites. These hybrid microspheres were treated with an alkaline solution for different period of time to control the amount of generated carboxylate groups and remained CG on the surface. The microspheres were then incubated in a supersaturated simulated body fluid (1.5 SBF) solution for different time to investigate their biomimetic mineralization behavior. The depositions were found to have a fine cluster morphology, a similar crystal structure and chemical structure to natural hydroxyapatite, and a medium Ca/P of approximately 1.30. The effect of surface treating time on the structure and mineralization behavior of these microspheres has been discussed in detail. The results indicate that the nucleation and growth of apatite on the surface are influenced by the induced carboxylate groups and the remained CG. The hybrid CG-g-PDLLA microspheres have the potential as a novel alternative in bone tissue engineering.     

Apatite-forming ability of bioactive poly(l-lactic acid)/grafted silica nanocomposites in simulated body fluid

Bioactive PLLA/surface-grafted silica (g-SiO?) nanocomposite scaffolds were fabricated by solid-liquid phase separation method. And solid PLLA/g-SiO? nanocomposite films were prepared by solution casting method. A series of parallel tube-like morphology and internal ladder-like structure of PLLA/g-SiO? nanocomposite scaffolds were observed by SEM. The formation of bone-like apatite in the simulated body fluid (SBF) was characterized by XRD, IR, SEM, EDS and weight measurement. The silica incorporation favors the formation of apatite. The growth of apatite with immersion time is found on the surfaces of both the PLLA/g-SiO? nanocomposite scaffolds and the films. The potential mechanism is that silanol groups of g-SiO? in the nanocomposites serve as nucleation sites for the formation of bone-like apatite crystals.     

A study on the bioactivity of chitosan/nano-hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

In order to increase the biocompatibility and bioactivity of chitosan, hydroxyapatite had been in situ combined into chitosan scaffolds. The bioactivity of the composite scaffolds was studied by examining the apatite formed on the scaffolds by incubating in simulated body fluid and the activity of preosteoblasts cultured on them. The apatite layer was assessed using scanning electronic microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and weight measurement. Composite analysis showed that after incubation in simulated body fluid on both of the scaffolds carbonate hydroxyapatite was formed. With increasing nano-hydroxyapatite content in the composite, the quantity of the apatite formed on the scaffolds increased. Compared with pure chitosan, the composite with nano-hydroxyapatite could form apatite more readily during the biomimetic process, which suggests that the composite possessed better mineralization activity. Furthermore, preosteoblast cells cultured on the apatite-coated scaffolds showed different behavior. On the apatite-coated composite scaffolds cells presented better proliferation than on apatite-coated chitosan scaffolds. In addition, alkaline phosphatase activities of cells cultured on the scaffolds in conditioned medium were assessed. The cells on composite scaffolds showed a higher alkaline phosphatase activity which suggested a higher differentiation level. The results indicated that the addition of nano-hydroxyapatite improved the bioactivity of chitosan/nano-hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds. On the other hand, that is to say composition of substrates could affect the apatite formation on them, and pre-loaded hydroxyapatite can enhance the apatite-coating. It will also be significant in preparation of apatite-coating polymer scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.     

A comparative study of the in vitro degradation of poly(l-lactic acid)/β-tricalcium phosphate scaffold in static and dynamic simulated body fluid

Porous poly(l-lactic acid)/β-tricalcium phosphate (PLLA/β-TCP) composite is a new promising scaffold for bone tissue engineering. Porous scaffolds fabricated by liquid anti-solvent precipitation principle were subjected to degradation in dynamic simulated body fluid (DSBF) and in static simulated body fluid (SSBF) at 37 °C for 24 weeks, respectively. Results indicated that a large number of apatite layer were formed on the scaffolds. The results further indicated that SBF flow decreased the degradation rate of molecular weight and compressive strength significantly. The porosity and mass changes were related to the apatite formation and SBF flow. All the results might be owed to the mutual effects of the flow of SBF and the addition of β-TCP. The degradation rate of scaffolds could be adjusted by the additional fraction of β-TCP to meet the requirements of application in vivo.     

PHBV/Sol-gel Bioglass多孔材料在模拟生理溶液中的化学反应研究

3-羟基丁酸-co-3-羟基戊酸共聚物(PHBV)/生物活性玻璃(SGBG)是一种用于骨和软骨组织工程支架的新型多孔复合材料,本文探讨了PHBV/SGBG在模拟生理溶液中的一系列化学反应,以及多孔材料在模拟生理溶液中浸泡后的成分和结构变化.研究结果表明,在SBF溶液中浸泡后,SGBG与SBF溶液的离子交换反应和PHBV的降解反应使SBF溶液的离子浓度发生变化,并在PHBV/SGBG表面形成了结晶态类骨碳酸羟基磷灰石.     

不同表面官能团和化学组成共聚物微球的表面生物矿化研究

采用具有不同共聚物组成和端基官能团的聚己内酯-b-聚乙二醇共聚物(PCL-b-PEG),通过双乳液溶剂挥发法制备了一系列具有不同表面性质的生物降解高分子微球.采用生物模拟矿化的方法以磷灰石修饰微球表面.进一步通过扫描电镜、热重分析仪、X-射线衍射仪和光电子能谱仪对微球表面磷灰石的形貌、含量、结构和组成进行了分析.研究了微球表面亲水性、粗糙度、官能团以及矿化时间对于磷灰石形成的影响.最终实验结果表明,随着共聚物中PEG含量增加,微球表面粗糙度和亲水性增加,因此微球表面磷灰石含量增加.同时微球表面官能团以及矿化时间的不同也会对磷灰石的形成和分布产生明显影响.     

生物活性复合材料在生物矿化过程中的微观形貌与离子浓度变化

采用3-羟基丁酸酯-3-羟基戊酸酯的共聚物(PHBV)与磷酸三钙(TCP)、羟基磷灰石(HA)、生物活性玻璃(BG)等进行复合,获得了性能优良的生物活性骨组织工程支架材料和骨修复材料.研究和比较了3种复合材料在体外模拟生理环境中发生的生物矿化反应,对比了反应前后因矿化物的形成导致的表面微观形貌的变化,通过检测反应液离子浓度的变化对不同材料的矿化过程和生物活性进行了定量表征.研究结果表明,3种复合材料在模拟生理溶液中发生生物矿化的过程和程度不同,其中PHBV/BG的生物活性反应最为明显.     

A study on biomineralization behavior of N-methylene phosphochitosan scaffolds

Biomimetic growth of calcium phosphate over natural polymer may be an effective approach to constituting an organic/inorganic composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering. In this work, N-methylene phosphochitosan (NMPCS) was prepared via formaldehyde addition and condensation with phosphoric acid in a step that allowed homogeneous modification without obvious deterioration in chitosan (CS) properties. The NMPCS obtained was characterized by using FT-IR and elemental analysis. The macroporous scaffolds were fabricated through a freeze-drying technique. A comparative study on NMPCS and CS scaffold biomimetic mineralization was carried out in different media, i.e, a simulated body fluid (SBF) or alternative CaCl(2) and Na(2)HPO(4) solutions respectively. Apatite formation within NMPCS and CS scaffolds was identified with FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray diffractometery (XRD). The results revealed alternate soaking of the scaffolds in CaCl(2) and Na(2)HPO(4) solutions was better than soaking in SBF solution alone in relation to apatite deposition on the scaffold pore walls. Biomineralization provides an approach to improve nature derived materials, e.g., chitosan derivative NMPCS properties e.g., compressive modulus, etc. SEM image of a NMPCS/apatite composite scaffold.     

A new approach to mineralization of biocompatible hydrogel scaffolds: an efficient process toward 3-dimensional bonelike composites

As a first step toward the design and fabrication of biomimetic bonelike composite materials, we have developed a template-driven nucleation and mineral growth process for the high-affinity integration of hydroxyapatite with a poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) hydrogel scaffold. A mineralization technique was developed that exposes carboxylate groups on the surface of cross-linked pHEMA, promoting high-affinity nucleation and growth of calcium phosphate on the surface, along with extensive calcification of the hydrogel interior. Robust surface mineral layers a few microns thick were obtained. The same mineralization technique, when applied to a hydrogel that is less prone to surface hydrolysis, led to distinctly different mineralization patterns, in terms of both the extent of mineralization and the crystallinity of the apatite grown on the hydrogel surface. This template-driven mineralization technique provides an efficient approach toward bonelike composites with high mineral-hydrogel interfacial adhesion strength.     

Hydrolysis and biomineralization of porous PLA microspheres and their influence on cell growth

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) microspheres have great potential in bone tissue engineering. However, their applications have been limited by surface and bulk properties such as hydrophobicity, lack of cell recognition sites and acidic degradation products. Apatite is a mineral which can effectively promote the adhesion and growth of bone cells. In this study, the bonelike mineral, carbonate apatite, was successfully used to functionalize porous PLA microspheres by a biomimetic mineralization method. To improve apatite formation, porous PLA microspheres were first selectively hydrolyzed in NaOH solution to increase the density of polar anionic groups on the surface, and then immersed in simulated body fluid for biomineralization. The morphology, composition, and phase structure of bioactive mineral grown on the original and hydrolyzed PLA microspheres were analyzed and compared quantitatively. The results showed that the hydrolysis which took place on the PLA microspheres enhanced the nucleation and growth of apatite. MG-63 cells attached well and spread actively on the mineralized PLA microspheres, indicating their strong potential in bone tissue engineering.     

聚L-乳酸/二氧化硅纳米复合材料及其表面诱导生成类骨磷灰石的制备

为改善纳米SiO2粒子在聚L-乳酸基体中的分散性, 将乳酸齐聚物接枝到纳米SiO2粒子表面, 通过IR, 29Si MAS NMR和TGA对改性SiO2进行表征. 以聚L-乳酸(PLLA)为基体, 加入乳酸齐聚物接枝改性的二氧化硅(g-SiO2)粒子, 采用溶液浇铸法制备PLLA/g-SiO2纳米复合材料, 测试其在模拟体液(SBF)中的生物活性. 通过XRD, IR, SEM和EDS表征手段, 考察材料表面类骨磷灰石形成能力. 结果表明, 乳酸齐聚物成功地接枝到SiO2表面, 当反应36 h时, g-SiO2接枝率最大(9.22%). 随着g-SiO2含量增加和浸泡时间的延长, 材料表面最初形成的无定形沉积物矿化成碳酸羟基磷灰石(Carbonated hydroxyapatite, CHA), 钙磷比为1.72, 类似于人骨无机质, 表明g-SiO2的引入能明显加速复合材料表面CHA沉积, 该复合材料有望成为骨修复填充材料和组织工程支架材料.     

Induction and Acceleration of Bonelike Apatite Formation on Tantalum Oxide Gel in Simulated Body Fluid

Untreated tantalum metal forms bonelike apatite layer on its surface in a simulated body fluid (SBF) after a long period. The apatite formation on the tantalum metal is significantly accelerated, when the metal was previously subjected to NaOH and heat treatments to form an amorphous sodium tantalate on its surface. The fast formation of the apatite on the NaOH- and heat-treated tantalum metal was explained as follows. The sodium tantalate on the surface of the metal releases the Na⁺ ion via exchange with H₃O⁺ ion in SBF to form a lot of Ta-OH groups on its surface. Thus formed Ta-OH groups induce the apatite nucleation and the released Na⁺ ion accelerates the apatite nucleation by increasing ionic activity product of the apatite in SBF due to increase in OH^– ion concentration. In the present study, in order to confirm this explanation, apatite formations on sodium tantalate gels with different Na/Ta atomic ratios, which were prepared by a sol-gel method were investigated. It was found that even Na₂O-free tantalum oxide gel forms the apatite on its surface in SBF. This proves that the Ta-OH groups abundant on the gel can induce the apatite nucleation. The apatite-forming ability of the gels increased with increasing Na/Ta atomic ratios of the gels. The sodium-containing tantalum oxide gels released the Na⁺ ion, the amount of which increased with increasing Na/Ta atomic ratios of the gels. The released Na⁺ ion gave an increase in pH of SBF. These results prove that the apatite nucleation induced by the Ta-OH groups is accelerated with the released Na⁺ ion by increasing ionic activity product of the apatite in SBF.     

Enhancing the stiffness of electrospun nanofiber scaffolds with a controlled surface coating and mineralization

A new method was developed to coat hydroxyapatite (HAp) onto electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanofibers for tendon-to-bone insertion site repair applications. Prior to mineralization, chitosan and heparin were covalently immobilized onto the surface of the fibers to accelerate the nucleation of bone-like HAp crystals. Uniform coatings of HAp were obtained by immersing the nanofiber scaffolds into a modified, 10-fold-concentrated simulated body fluid (m10SBF) for different periods of time. The new method resulted in thicker and denser coatings of mineral on the fibers compared to those produced by previously reported methods. Scanning electron microscopy measurements confirmed the formation of nanoscale HAp particles on the fibers. A mechanical property assessment demonstrated a higher stiffness with respect to previous coating methods. A combination of the nanoscale fibrous structure and bonelike mineral coating could mimic the structure, composition, and function of mineralized tissues.     

医用钛表面组织结构和形貌特征与表面生物活性的研究

通过物理、化学或者电化学表面改性的方法改变钛表面氧化钛膜的结构、化学成份等可赋予钛金属及其合金生物活性,从而在体内实现材料与硬组织间的生物活性结合。本文探讨钛表面氧化钛膜的结构、化学成份、表面形貌和微观结构对其生物活性的影响。     

聚乳酸接枝改性纳米生物玻璃/PLGA复合材料的制备、表面性质及生物活性

以丙交酯开环聚合原位接枝改性的纳米生物玻璃(PLLA-g-BG)与聚丙交酯-乙交酯(PLGA)复合材料为研究对象, 采用TGA, ESEM和EDX分析其接枝率, 粒子分散性和表面元素分布, 通过将兔成骨细胞种植于材料膜表面进行体外培养, 采用荧光染色法、NIH Image J图像分析软件、MTT法和流式细胞术等手段检测细胞在材料表面的平均黏附数量、扩展面积比、增殖能力和细胞周期的变化, 综合评价新型改性纳米复合材料的生物相容性和生物活性. 结果表明, 聚乳酸表面接枝改性可明显改善纳米生物玻璃粒子的团聚; PLGA中掺入一定比例的改性PLLA-g-BG可明显促进兔成骨细胞的黏附、扩展与增殖; 改性纳米生物玻璃的应用可提高生物可降解聚酯材料的生物相容性和生物活性.     

Photoluminescence in the characterization and early detection of biomimetic bone-like apatite formation on the surface of alkaline-treated titanium implant: state of the art

Photoluminescence (PL) property is particularly important in the characterization of materials that contain significant proportions of noncrystalline components, multiple phases, or low concentrations of mineral phases. In this research, the ability of biomimetic bone-like apatite deposition on the surface of titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) substrates in simulated body fluid (SBF) right after alkaline-treatment and subsequent heat-treatment was studied by the inherent luminescence properties of apatite. For this purpose, the metallic substrates were treated in 5 M NaOH solution at 60 °C. Subsequently, the substrates were heat-treated at 600 °C for 1 h for consolidation of the sodium titanate hydrogel layer. Then, they were soaked in SBF for different periods of time. Finally, the possibility to use of PL monitoring as an effective method and early detection tool is discussed. According to the obtained results, it was concluded that the PL emission peak did not have any significant shift to the shorter or higher wavelengths, and the PL intensity increased as the exposure time increased. This research proved that the observed inherent PL of the newly formed apatite coatings might be of specific interest for histological probing and bone remodelling monitoring.     

Direct Observation of Apatite Formation on Bioglass in Simulated Body Fluid by Atomic Force Microscopy

An in situ atomic force microscope (AFM) combined with surface potential measurement was used to observe the apatite formation on the 45S5 Bioglass-type glass in simulated body fluid (SBF). From the observation, it can be seen that small islands with 5-10 nm size are formed on the glass surface in the initial soaking period within 1 h.     

Solvent-assisted room-temperature compression molding approach to fabricate porous scaffolds for tissue engineering

This study investigated the room-temperature compression molding/particle leaching approach to fabricate three-dimensional porous scaffolds for tissue engineering. Scaffolds with anatomical shapes (ear, joint, tube, cylinder) were made from biodegradable poly(D,L-lactide) and poly[(D,L-lactide)-co-glycolide]. The utility of this room-temperature compression approach comes from the effect of solvent assistance, but the tendency for post-molding scaffold shrinkage is a problem unique to this method and is thus examined with emphasis in this paper. Scaffold shrinkage was found to be tolerable under normal fabrication conditions with high salt contents, which is just what the preparation of highly porous scaffolds requires. Furthermore, the resultant porosities after salt leaching were measured as well as the initial scaffold shrinkages after solvent evaporation, and the relation between them was revealed by theoretical analysis and confirmed by comparison with experimental measurements. The pores were interconnected, and porosity can exceed 90%. The effects of porosity on the mechanical properties of porous scaffolds were also investigated. This convenient fabrication approach is a prospective method for the tailoring of porous scaffolds for a variety of possible applications in tissue engineering and tissue reconstruction.