Mechanically-competent and cytocompatible polycaprolactone-borophosphosilicate hybrid biomaterials

Dibakar Mondal; S Jeffrey Dixon; Kibret Mequanint; Amin S Rizkalla

doi:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2017.07.010

Mechanically-competent and cytocompatible polycaprolactone-borophosphosilicate hybrid biomaterials

J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2017 Nov:75:180-189. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2017.07.010. Epub 2017 Jul 5.

Authors

Dibakar Mondal¹, S Jeffrey Dixon², Kibret Mequanint³, Amin S Rizkalla⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5B9; Bone and Joint Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5A5.
² Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5C1; Schulich Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5C1; Bone and Joint Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5A5.
³ Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5B9. Electronic address: kmequani@uwo.ca.
⁴ Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5B9; Schulich Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5C1; Bone and Joint Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5A5. Electronic address: arizkall@uwo.ca.

PMID: 28735148
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2017.07.010

Abstract

Organic-inorganic class II hybrid materials have domain sizes at the molecular level and chemical bonding between the organic and inorganic phases. We have previously reported the synthesis of class II hybrid biomaterials from alkoxysilane-functionalized polycaprolactone (PCL) and borophosphosilicate (B₂O₃-P₂O₅-SiO₂) glass (BPSG) through a non-aqueous sol-gel process. In the present study, the mechanical properties and degradability of these PCL/BPSG hybrid biomaterials were studied and compared to those of their conventional composite counterparts. The compressive strength, modulus and toughness of the hybrid biomaterials were significantly greater compared to the conventional composites, likely due to the covalent bonding between the organic and inorganic phases. A hybrid biomaterial (50wt% PCL and 50wt% BPSG) exhibited compressive strength, modulus and toughness values of 32.2 ± 3.5MPa, 573 ± 85MPa and 1.54 ± 0.03MPa, respectively; whereas the values for composite of similar composition were 18.8 ± 1.6MPa, 275 ± 28MPa and 0.76 ± 0.03MPa, respectively. Degradation in phosphate-buffered saline was slower for hybrid biomaterials compared to their composite counterparts. Thus, these hybrid materials possess superior mechanical properties and more controlled degradation characteristics compared to their corresponding conventional composites. To assess in vitro cytocompatibility, MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cells were seeded onto the surfaces of hybrid biomaterials and polycaprolactone (control). Compared to polycaprolactone, cells on the hybrid material displayed enhanced spreading, focal adhesion formation, and cell number, consistent with excellent cytocompatibility. Thus, based on their mechanical properties, degradability and cytocompatibility, these novel biomaterials have potential for use as scaffolds in bone tissue engineering and related applications.

Keywords: Bone tissue engineering; Borophosphosilicate glass; Organic-inorganic hybrid; Polycaprolactone.

MeSH terms

3T3 Cells
Animals
Biocompatible Materials / analysis*
Boron Compounds / analysis*
Glass / analysis
Materials Testing
Mice
Polyesters / analysis*
Silicates / analysis*
Tissue Scaffolds

Substances

Biocompatible Materials
Boron Compounds
Polyesters
Silicates
polycaprolactone

Grants and funding

CIHR/Canada