Engineered GO with magnetic Iron oxide nanoparticles promotes osteogenic differentiation on 3D printed PCL scaffold

Abstract

Since bone loss can pose serious health risks, developing novel therapeutic platforms that can efficiently evoke bone rehabilitation, underscores urgent need. In present research, a strategy is introduced to create a magnetic micro-milieu in poly ɛ-caprolactone (PCL) scaffolds fabricated by extrusion-based 3D printing method using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) decorated on graphene oxide (GO) sheets (GO@SPIONs) to enhance bone repair. Field emission scanning electron microscopic images revealed the construction of 3D porous structure with aligned strands, desirable interconnectivity and good fidelity. Incorporation of 10 and 15 wt% GO@SPIONs improved the wettability up to 70.5 ± 3.4° and 60.4 ± 4.9°, respectively. Moreover, Young's modulus of 3D printed PCL scaffold reached the values of 42 ± 2 and 57 ± 2 MPa, respectively, by inclusion of 10 and 15 wt% GO@SPIONs. Although no sign of cytotoxicity was observed in MTT assay by inclusion of GO@SPIONs, 10 wt% GO@SPIONs had a higher performance in terms of cell viability and cell attachment. Such group also demonstrated better ALP activity and Alizarin red staining than other groups in line with previous results. The great potency of PCL scaffold containing 10 wt% GO@SPIONs for bone differentiation was proved by RT-PCR via high expression level of Runx2, COL1A1 and OCN which further confirmed by immunohistochemistry. These positive findings reveal that the creation of magnetic micro-milieu in tissue-engineered scaffolds is a working countermeasure to accelerate bone repair.