AUTHOR=Zhou Changsong , Su Shenghui , Fan Jiwen , Lin Jiuzao , Wang Xiaoyong 

TITLE=Engineered electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/Si3N4 nanofiber scaffold promotes osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cell

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Materials

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/materials/articles/10.3389/fmats.2022.991018

DOI=10.3389/fmats.2022.991018

ISSN=2296-8016

ABSTRACT=<p>Nanofibers show promise as bone tissue engineering scaffolds (BTESs). In this study, electrospun poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/silicon nitride (Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) composite nanofiber membranes were formed and the osteogenesis capability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from the scaffold marrow was investigated. By modifying the different properties of Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> in the PLGA, two hybrid scaffolds were successfully prepared, including the PLGA/Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> (1 wt.%) nanofiber scaffold and PLGA/Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> (2 wt.%) nanofiber scaffold. The diameter of the fiber nanofiber scaffold PLGA/Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> was decreased and the mechanical strength was increased compared to PLGA. <italic>In vitro</italic> studies showed better cell adhesion and proliferation on the PLGA/Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> nanofiber scaffold compared to the PLGA nanofiber scaffold. The integration of Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> promoted osteogenesis capacity by increasing the gene expression of bone-related proteins (BMP2, ALP, OPN, COL1a1, Runx2, and OCN), calcium deposits, and support of ALP activity compared to those for the PLGA nanofiber scaffold. Similarly, the PLGA/Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> (2 wt.%) nanofiber scaffold showed better mechanics and biological activity compared to the PLGA/Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> (1 wt.%) nanofiber scaffold. Overall, the PLGA/Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> nanofiber scaffold showed potential as a promising hybrid scaffold for bone regeneration.</p>