Electrospun poly(γ-glutamic acid)/β-tricalcium phosphate composite fibrous mats for bone regeneration

Abstract

A poly(γ-glutamic acid)/β-tricalcium phosphate (γ-PGA/β-TCP) composite fibrous mat was fabricated using the electrospinning technique as a novel bone substitute. The mat was then cross-linked with cystamine in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide to improve its water-resistant ability. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that the γ-PGA/β-TCP fibers had a uniform morphology with diameters ranging from 0.64 ± 0.07 μm to 1.65 ± 0.16 μm. The average diameter of the fibers increased with increasing cross-linking time. Moreover, increasing the cross-linking time and decreasing the γ-PGA/β-TCP weight ratio decreased the swelling ratio and in vitro degradation rate of the composite fibrous mat. In vitro experiments with osteoblast-like MG-63 cells demonstrated that the mat with a γ-PGA/β-TCP weight ratio of 20 and cross-linked time of 24 h had a higher alkaline phosphatase activity and better cell adhesion. Furthermore, the rat cranial bone defect was created and treated with the γ-PGA/β-TCP composite fibrous mat to evaluate its potential in bone regeneration. After 8 weeks of implantation, micro computed tomography showed that the γ-PGA/β-TCP composite fibrous mat promoted new bone growth. These observations suggest that the γ-PGA/β-TCP composite fibrous mat has a potential application in bone tissue engineering.