Proliferation and Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Chitosan Scaffolds Loaded with Nanocapsules Containing Bone Morphogenetic Proteins-4, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor and Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1

Periodontal regeneration is a complex healing pattern of soft and hard periodontal tissues. Recent approaches in reconstructive biology utilize mechanical, cellular or biologic mediators to facilitate reconstruction/regeneration of a particular tissue. In this study, the concept of tissue engineering was applied by using biodegradable chitosan scaffolds containing nanocapsules having different degradation rates and loaded with various growth factors (GFs). For this purpose, nanocapsules of faster degrading poly(lacticacid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and slower degrading poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) were separately loaded with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) and nanocapsules were incorporated into chitosan scaffolds. PLGA capsules had a particle size in the range of 190-615 nm with an average diameter of 327 nm where PHBV capsules were found to have particle size in the range of 255-712 nm with a larger mean diameter of 438 nm. The morphology of chitosan scaffolds showed a sponge-like open porous microstructure with pore size around 100-200 mu m. Human mesenchymal stem cells were used in in vitro studies. It was observed that simultaneous fast delivery of BMP-4 and PDGF led to highest proliferation rate. All cell seeded scaffolds were positive for mineralization which was determined by von Kossa staining.