Production of 3D scaffolds containing different concentrations of graphene, hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate surface coated with human bone morphogenetic and P-1 latex proteins

Abstract

Bone defects assume importance in growing prevalence of chronic health conditions since fractures and critical defects should increase as the population ages. The bone healing depends on a dense vascular network that provides essential oxygen and nutrients, an important characteristic for the process of tissue regeneration. Conventional treatments require transplantation and extremely invasive approaches, therefore the challenge of developing new therapies and treatments is still growing. A promising proposal is to obtain tissue in laboratory using scaffolds for the growth and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and factors that enable a suitable neovascularization and osteoinduction for grafting. This project aims to investigate the effect of graphene on the mechanical and biological properties of a biopolymer-based scaffold (polycaprolactone) and the production of 3D bioactive scaffolds through the incorporation of hydroxyapatite (HA) and Tricalcium Phosphate (TCP) to increase the biological recognition and the recruitment of cells to colonize the scaffold hence enhancing the healing process of the bone. Furthermore, 3D bioactive scaffolds containing HA, TCP or Graphene will be surface coated with human bone morphogenetic proteins such as hBMP-2 and P-1 latex proteins from Hevea brasiliensis rubber tree, in order to improve bioactivity and increase cellular adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The protein fraction F1 from latex extracted from Hevea brasiliensis rubber tree exhibit important angiogenic and healing activity, promising advantages for use in tissue engineering, coupled with the multipotentiality of hMSCs seeded onto the scaffolds. (AU)