Evaluation of PHBV/calcium silicate composite scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering

In our previous studies, composite scaffolds containing poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and calcium silicate (CS) have been prepared and well characterized as cell scaffolds. Here, we evaluated these composite scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering through in vitro experiments of cell-scaffold interactions and in vivo observation of cartilage formation. Rabbit articular chondrocytes were seeded into PHBV and PHBV/CS scaffolds. A short-term in vitro culture followed by a long-term in vivo transplantation was performed to evaluate the difference of cartilage regeneration in PHBV and PHBV/CS scaffolds. Results showed that, as compared to pure PHBV scaffolds, the addition of CS into PHBV improved the cell adhesion on the scaffolds and further promoted the cell penetration into scaffolds. In vivo results indicated that the PHBV/CS composite scaffolds enhanced the formation of cartilage-like tissue as thicker and stronger cartilage matrix was found in PHBV/CS group as compared to those in PHBV group. These results demonstrated that the PHBV/CS scaffolds may be more suitable for applications in cartilage tissue engineering that pure PHBV scaffolds.