Characterization of the surface biocompatibility of an electrospun nylon 6/CaP nanofiber scaffold using osteoblasts

The purpose of this research is to improve the biocompatibility of bone tissue engineering scaffolds using a one-step electrospinning process. Calcium phosphate (Cap) was coated on the surface of nylon 6 (N6) nanofibers to form an ultrathin layer, thereby increasing surface roughness and wettability of the N6 nanofiber membrane in order to further improve implant tissue integration. The morphology, composition, chemical interaction bonding and mechanical properties of CaP-coated N6 nanofibers were characterized. The wettability of the scaffold was measured in terms of the water contact angle, and the results indicated that N6 fibers coated with an ultrathin layer of CaP exhibited an excellent surface wettability (water contact angle = 0 degrees). Mechanical testing revealed higher properties of coated CaP layers compared to a plain N6 mat. The biological response induced by the surface modifications of N6 fibers was evaluated by in vitro cell culture with MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts cells. It was found that CaP-coated N6 nanofibrous matrices definitely favored cell proliferation, with the efficiency dependent upon the coating technique. A combination of a nanoscale fibrous structure and a CaP coating could mimic the structure, composition and function of bone tissues. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.