Influence of blend compositions of poly(caprolactone)/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) films on protein adsorption

Abstract

Solution casting of polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-2-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) in various ratios with coated and uncoated bioactive proteins were studied for potential use as bone scaffolds. The crystallinity evaluation of these solution-cast film scaffolds indicated that the miscibility behavior which decreased as PHBV content increased, resulted in increased protein adsorption. The potential for these fiber mats as bone scaffolds was further assessed in vitro in terms of the attachment and proliferation of mouse-calvaria-derived preosteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) that were seeded or cultured at different times. All of the coated scaffolds exhibited much better support for cell attachment and proliferation than the uncoated bioactive proteins. Among the various coated scaffolds investigated, the PCL/50PHBV blend showed the highest cellular attachment and proliferation. These results imply a high potential for these cast film mats as bone scaffolds.