Lab talk
Mar 20, 2012
'Bone-like' electrospun nanofibres promote osteoblast activity
In a recent study, researchers in the US have investigated the performance of electrospun PVA-Col-HA nanofibers as biomimetic materials for modifying implant surfaces to encourage osseointegration for orthopaedic applications. Electrospinning is a promising technique for fabricating nanofibrous structures that mimic an extracellular matrix (ECM), enhancing the adhesion and proliferation of interacting cells.
The team from Wayne State University, US, is developing a "bone-like" nanofibrous scaffold that consists of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) and collagen I (Col). PVA is a water-soluble polymer that performs well in electrospinning. However, PVA is bioinert and exhibits fast degradation in water, but this can be modified using additives. Embedding both nHA and Col into the PVA matrix provides a "bone-like" 3D structure that enhances the adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast cells.
AFM analysis
The surface roughness and mechanical stiffness of PVA/HA/Col nanofibers were found to mimic the natural bone ECM microenvironment. Next, the potential effects in enhancing implant fixation will be invested in animal models.
Full details can be found in the journal Nanotechnology.
About the author
This study was conducted by Dr Weiping Ren's group from the department of Biomedical Engineering at Wayne State University. Wei Song is a third-year graduate student in Dr Weiping Ren's group with research interests in developing biomaterials for orthopedic applications. Dr Ren (MD, PhD) is currently associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Wayne State University, and Research Director of Detroit Medical Center/Providence Hospital Orthopaedic Residency Program. Dr Ren's research interests are in the fields of biomaterial science, targeted drug delivery and musculoskeletal injury repair.
