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HERO ID
7090898
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Surface Modification of Poly(D,L-Lactic Acid) Scaffolds for Orthopedic Applications: A Biocompatible, Nondestructive Route via Diazonium Chemistry
Author(s)
Mahjoubi, H; Kinsella, JM; Murshed, M; Cerruti, M; ,
Year
2014
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
ISSN:
1944-8244
EISSN:
1944-8252
Publisher
AMER CHEMICAL SOC
Location
WASHINGTON
Page Numbers
9975-9987
PMID
24965034
DOI
10.1021/am502752j
Web of Science Id
WOS:000338979900011
Abstract
Scaffolds made with synthetic polymers such as polyesters are commonly used in bone tissue engineering. However, their hydrophobicity and the lack of specific functionalities make their surface not ideal for cell adhesion and growth. Surface modification of these materials is thus crucial to enhance the scaffold's integration in the body. Different surface modification techniques have been developed to improve scaffold biocompatibility. Here we show that diazonium chemistry can be used to modify the outer and inner surfaces of three-dimensional poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PDLLA) scaffolds with phosphonate groups, using a simple two-step method. By changing reaction time and impregnation procedure, we were able to tune the concentration of phosphonate groups present on the scaffolds, without degrading the PDLLA matrix. To test the effectiveness of this modification, we immersed the scaffolds in simulated body fluid, and characterized them with scanning electron microscopy, Xray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman, and infrared spectroscopy. Our results showed that a layer of hydroxyapatite particles was formed on all scaffolds after 2 and 4 weeks of immersion; however, the precipitation was faster and in larger amounts on the phosphonate-modified than on the bare PDLLA scaffolds. Both osteogenic MC3T3-E1 and chondrogenic ATDC5 cell lines showed increased cell viability/metabolic activity when grown on a phosphonated PDLLA surface in comparison to a control PDLLA surface. Also, more calcium-containing minerals were deposited by cultures grown on phosphonated PDLLA, thus showing the pro-mineralization properties of the proposed modification. This work introduces diazonium chemistry as a simple and biocompatible technique to modify scaffold surfaces, allowing to covalently and homogeneously bind a number of functional groups without degrading the scaffold's polymeric matrix.
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