Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Composite polymers (PLGA) scaffolds were fabricated by solvent casting and simultaneous particulate leaching, and their ability to enhance the osteoblastic behavior of umbilical cord blood stromal cells (MSCs) in osteogenic media was investigated. MSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord blood and cultured on polymer scaffolds to assess short-term cyto- compatibility and long-term physiological behavior. Smooth polypropylene flasks were used as control surfaces. The short-term cyto-compatibility results indicated that hybrid polymer scaffolds supported comparatively good cell adhesion and viability compared with control surfaces. In osteogenic conditions, MSCs grown on this polymer scaffolds also shown increased levels of alkaline phosphatase activity after 3 weeks of culture. Calcium phosphate mineralization was substantially accelerated over the scaffolds compared to control surfaces as indicated through von Kossa and calcium staining. These results demonstrate the enhanced tissue regeneration property of hybrid composite scaffolds, which may be of potential use for engineering osteogenic scaffolds for orthopedic applications.

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