Electrospun PLGA/PCL/OCP nanofiber membranes promote osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)

Nanofibers as niche-biomimetic scaffolds hold promise in guided bone regeneration (GBR). Here we fabricated poly (lactic- co -glycolic acid) (PLGA)/poly(caprolactone) (PCL)-doped octacalcium phosphate (OCP) nanofiber membranes via electrospinning and investigated the osteogenic behavior of marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on the membranes. By adjusting different ratio of OCP to PLGA/PCL, three hybrid stents including PLGA/PCL, PLGA/PCL/2 wt%OCP, PLGA/PCL/4wt%OCP were successfully prepared. The PLGA/PCL/OCP membranes showed a decrease in fiber diameter compared with PLGA/PCL, leading to enhanced mechanical strength. In-vitro studies showed that PLGA/PCL/OCP membranes better supported cell adhesion, spreading and proliferation than PLGA/PCL. The incorporation of OCP via electrospinning also endowed the membranes with osteoinductive capacity, as evidenced by activation of ALP activity, increased gene expression of bone specific markers (such as Runx2 , ALP , Col 1a1 , OPN , OCN , BMP2 ), and mineral nodules formation compared to PLGA/PCL. Comparatively, PLGA/PCL/4wt%OCP showed better mechanical and biological performance than PLGA/PCL/2 wt%OCP, demonstrating the role of OCP in nanofiber membranes. Thus, the electrospun PLGA/PCL/OCP nanofiber membranes can be potentially developed as a promising hybrid stent for GBR.