In vitro evaluation of osteoblastic cells on bacterial cellulose modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes as scaffold for bone regeneration

- Functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with carboxyl groups for reduces their toxicity against osteoblastic cells.
- Use of native bacterial cellulose with functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes as scaffolds for tissue engineering.
- Bacterial cellulose with multi-walled carbon nanotubes as scaffolds give an excellent option to be used in bone regeneration.

In this paper we explore the use of native bacterial cellulose (BC) in combination with functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) as an original biomaterial, suitable three-dimensional (3D) scaffold for osteoblastic cell culture. Functionalized MWNTs were mixed with native BC (secreted by Gluconacetobacter xylinus) with the aim of reinforcing the mechanical properties of BC. The results indicate that BC-MWNTs scaffolds support osteoblast viability, adhesion and proliferation at higher levels as compared to traditional culture substrates. Chemically functionalized MWNTs are also an excellent material to be used as scaffold because these did not affect cell viability and showed an enhanced osteoblast adhesion. These results suggest the potential for this combination of biomaterials, i.e. BC and carbon nanomaterials, as scaffolds for bone regeneration.