Fabrication and characterization of nano-hydroxyapatite/poly (D, L-lactide) composite porous scaffolds for human cartilage

Five groups of poly (D, L-lactide) (PDLLA)/hydroxyapatite nanocrystals (nano-HA) porous scaffolds were fabricated by using a solvent casting-particulate leaching technique, with 0: 1, 1:9, 1:4, 2:3, 1:1 weight ratio of nano-HA: PDLLA. The phase and morphology of the scaffolds were investigated by using SEM. Cells proliferation was evaluated quantitatively by MTT assay. The interaction between scaffolds and cells were observed by HR-SEM. The results showed that nano-HA nanocrystals dispersed homogeneously in the PDLLA matrix. The porosity of scaffolds was up to 90%, and macropores and micropores coexisted and interconnected in the scaffolds. Human cartilage cells were cultured on the scaffolds. It was found that cells attached and proliferated well on the nano-HA/PDLLA scaffolds. These results suggest that the PDLLA/nano-HA porous scaffolds are promising candidates for cartilage tissue engineering application.