Fabrication of novel poly(lactic acid)/amorphous magnesium phosphate bionanocomposite fibers for tissue engineering applications via electrospinning

Fibrous bionanocomposites consisting of amorphous magnesium phosphate (AMP) nanospheres and polylactic acid (PLA) were fabricated by electrospinning. There are two important signatures of this paper. First, AMP, as an alternative to well-known calcium phosphate (CaP) materials, is added to PLA as the second phase. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first attempt to fabricate magnesium phosphate (MgP)/biopolymer composite. This is made possible by our previously reported research on the successful synthesis of AMP nanospheres via microwave processing. Second, the sustained release of magnesium and phosphate ions from PLA matrix can stimulate a series of cell responses. The structure of the composites and their bone-like apatite-forming abilities in simulated body fluid (SBF) were examined. Additionally, the effects on the proliferation and differentiation of preosteoblast cells were evaluated by performing in vitro cell culture and monitoring markers such as Osteocalcin (OCN), Osteopontin (OPN), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Collagen type-I (Col I) using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For better dispersion of AMP in the fibers, a surfactant, 12-hydroxysteric acid (HSA), as previously reported in the literature, was used. However, HSA significantly inhibited the proliferation and differentiation of preosteoblast cells, indicating the potential risk in using HSA in the combination of AMP or MgP in tissue engineering applications.

► Amorphous magnesium phosphate (AMP) nanospheres was synthesized.
► AMP/poly lactic acid (PLA) matrix was fabricated via electrospinning.
► AMP was found to be beneficial to MC3T3 preosteoblast cells proliferation.
► Surfactant 12-hydroxysteric acid (HSA) was toxic to preosteoblast cells.