Electrospun‐modified nanofibrous scaffolds for the mineralization of osteoblast cells

Biocompatible polycaprolactone (PCL) and hydroxyapatite (HA) were fabricated into nanofibrous scaffolds for the mineralization of osteoblasts in bone tissue engineering. PCL and PCL/HA nanofibrous surface were modified using oxygen plasma treatment and showing 0° contact angle for the adhesion and mineralization of osteoblast cells. The fiber diameter, pore size and porosity of nanofibrous scaffolds were estimated to be 220–625 nm, 3–20 μm, and 87–92% respectively. The ultimate tensile strength of PCL was about 3.37 MPa and PCL/HA was 1.07 MPa to withstand the long term culture of osteoblasts on nanofibrous scaffolds. Human fetal osteoblast cells (hFOB) were cultured on PCL and PCL/HA surface modified and unmodified nanofibrous scaffolds. The osteoblast proliferation rate was significantly ( p < 0.001) increased in surface‐modified nanofibrous scaffolds. FESEM showed normal phenotypic cell morphology and mineralization occurred in PCL/HA nanofibrous scaffolds, HA acting as a chelating agent for the mineralization of osteoblast to form bone like apatite for bone tissue engineering. EDX and Alizarin Red‐S staining indicated mineral Ca 2+ and phosphorous deposited on the surface of osteoblast cells. The mineralization was significantly increased in PCL/HA‐modified nanofibrous scaffolds and appeared as a mineral nodule synthesized by osteoblasts similar to apatite of the natural bone. The present study indicated that the PCL/HA surface‐modified nanofibrous scaffolds are potential for the mineralization of osteoblast for bone tissue engineering. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008