Three-dimensional-poly(lactic acid) scaffolds coated with gelatin/magnesium-doped nano-hydroxyapatite for bone tissue engineering

Background: Treatment of critical-sized bone defects has progressively evolved over the years from metallic implants to more ingenious three-dimensional-based scaffolds. The use of three-dimensional scaffolds for bone regeneration from biodegradable polymers like poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is gaining popularity. Scaffolds with surface functionalization using gelatin (Gel) have the advantages of biocompatibility and cell adhesion. Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) is one of the most promising implant materials utilized in orthopaedics. The osteogenic potential of the nHAp can be improved by the substitution of magnesium (Mg) ions onto the crystal lattice of nHAp. Thus, the goal of this work was to make three-dimensional-PLA scaffolds covered with Gel/Mg-nHAp for osteogenic effect. Methods and results: The designed three-dimensional-PLA/Gel/Mg-nHAp scaffolds were attributed to various characterizations for the examination of their physicochemical, mechanical properties, cyto-compatibility, and biodegradability as well as their ability to promote osteogenesis in vitro. Mouse mesenchymal stem cells (mMSCs) were cytocompatible with these scaffolds. The osteogenic potential of three-dimensional-PLA/Gel/Mg-nHAp scaffolds employing mMSCs was validated at the cellular and molecular levels. The three-dimensional-PLA/Gel/Mg-nHAp scaffolds stimulated the differentiation of mMSCs towards osteoblastic lineage. Conclusion: Based on these findings, we suggest that the three-dimensional-PLA/Gel/Mg-nHAp scaffolds' osteogenic capability may be advantageous in the mending of bone defects in orthopedic applications.