Hydrophilization of Biodegradable Dual Pore Scaffolds and Its Effect on Osteoblast Adhesion

J Korean Wound Management Soc > Volume 4(2); 2008 > Article

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Wound Management Society 2008;4(2): 61-68.

Hydrophilization of Biodegradable Dual Pore Scaffolds and Its Effect on Osteoblast Adhesion

Kwideok Park, Dong Keun Han

Biomaterials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea

Published online: 30 November 2008.

ABSTRACT

Biodegradable dual pore polymer scaffolds were successfully fabricated in this study. A mixture of dioxane/water was used as a solvent system. After the gas foaming process was complete, the resultant scaffolds carried a dual pore architecture, in which two distinct pore sizes were present in the same matrix: large pores in 200∼300Ռm and small ones in 5∼20Ռm. The volume ratio of dioxane/water in 87/13 (v/v) was optimal condition in producing a dual pore network. Followed by surface modifications utilizing plasma treatment and acrylic acid (AA) grafting, significantly reduced water contact angles and increased surface oxygen level were identified for the AA-grafted polymer substrate. Surface morphology was barely affected from the modifiation. When osteoblasts were seeded onto AA-grafted poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffolds and cultured for 4 weeks, the surface-modified scaffolds were more effective in the improvement of cell adhesion and proliferation as compared to PLLA control. The present study suggests that the surface-modified dual pore scaffolds can be feasible in tissue engineering applications for better cell seeding, attachment, and growth. (J Korean Wound Management Soc 2008;4:61-68)

Key Words: Tissue engineering, Dual pore polymer scaffold, Acrylic acid, Hydrophilization, Osteoblasts