Thermally induced self-agglomeration 3D scaffolds with BMP-2-loaded core–shell fibers for enhanced osteogenic differentiation of rat adipose-derived stem cells

Introduction Scaffold structure plays a vital role in cell behaviors. Compared with two-dimensional structure, 3D scaffolds can mimic natural extracellular matrix (ECM) and promote cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. The combination of osteoconductive scaffolds and osteoinductive growth factors is considered to have synergistic effects on bone regeneration. Materials and methods In this study, core–shell poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)/polycaprolactone (PCL)–BMP-2 (PP–B) fibrous scaffolds were prepared through coaxial electrospinning. Next, we fabricated 3D scaffolds based on PP–B fibers with thermally induced self-agglomeration (TISA) method and compared with conventional PLGA/PCL scaffolds in terms of scaffold morphology and BMP-2 release behaviors. Then, rat adipose-derived stem cells (rADSCs) were seeded on the scaffolds, and the effects on cell proliferation, cell morphology, and osteogenic differentiation of rADSCs were detected. Results The results demonstrated that 3D scaffold incorporated with BMP-2 significantly increased proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rADSCs, followed by PP–B group. Conclusion Our findings indicate that scaffolds with 3D structure and osteoinductive growth factors have great potential in bone tissue engineering.