Electrospun Cytocompatible Polycaprolactone Blend Composite with Enhanced Wettability for Bone Tissue Engineering

Electrospinning is recently used in tissue engineering due to their excellent ability to mimic the structure of extra cellular matrix (ECM), a prerequisite for creating an optimal microenvironment for cell growth. Electrospun nanofibrous composite scaffolds consisting of polycaprolactone (PCL)/Poly(1,4-butylene adipate-co-polycaprolactam) (PBAPCL) blend with hydroxyapatite (HA) have been fabricated to enhance the wettability and osseointegrative properties. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed molecular interactions of the polymer blend along with the presence of HA. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) indicated semi-crystalline nature of the mat and also the presence of HA in the composite mat. The morphology of the fibres, were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the diameter was found to be in the range of 400-600 nm. The composite fibers were of larger diameter compared to their polymer counterparts. Improved wettability of the electrospun composite mat has been observed by contact angle analysis. In vitro cell culture studies by Live/Dead assay and MTT using human osteosarcoma (HOS) cells indicated the cytocompatible nature of electrospun mat which was further confirmed by cell adhesion using SEM and Actin-phalloidin staining. Addition of PBAPCL and HA to PCL have a beneficial effect on cell growth and proliferation thereby making the composite, a prospective scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications.