| The major challenge of tissue regeneration is to develop three dimensional scaffolds with suitable properties which
would mimic the natural extracellular matrix to induce the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of cells. Several
materials have been used for the preparation of the scaffolds for bone regeneration. In this study, novel ethyl cellulosegrafted-
poly (E-caprolactone) (EC-g-PCL)/alginate scaffolds with different contents of nano-hydroxyapatite were prepared
by combining electrospinning and freeze-drying methods in order to provide nanofibrous/macroporous structures
with good mechanical properties. For this aim, EC-g-PCL nanofibers were obtained with electrospinning, embedded
layer-by-layer in alginate solutions containing nano-hydroxyapatite particles, and finally, these constructions were freezedried.
The scaffolds possess highly porous structures with interconnected pore network. The swelling, porosity, and
degradation characteristics of the EC-g-PCL/alginate scaffolds were decreased with the increase in nano-hydroxyapatite
contents, whereas increases in the in-vitro biomineralization and mechanical strength were observed as the
nano-hydroxyapatite content was increased. The cell response to EC-g-PCL/alginate scaffolds with/or without
nano-hydroxyapatite was investigated using human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). hDPSCs displayed a high adhesion,
proliferation, and differentiation on nano-hydroxyapatite-incorporated EC-g-PCL/alginate scaffolds compared to
pristine EC-g-PCL/alginate scaffold. Overall, these results suggested that the EC-g-PCL/alginate-HA scaffolds might
have potential applications in bone tissue engineering. |