Abstract
The osteogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from umbilical cord blood (UCB) on porous poly lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) scaffolds have been reported to differentially support osteogenic differentiation based on polymer composition (80:20, 75:25 and 70:30 percent of PLA: PGA, respectively). Along with polymer composition; fused NaCl crystal matrix prior to solvent casting improves the porosity and pore interconnectivity in 3D scaffolds, which has significant impact on cell proliferation. FTIR and XRD studies of PLGA scaffolds also verified the intermolecular interactions, phase distribution and crystallinity in scaffolds. Among three scaffold combinations, sample B (75:25) has showed maximum porosity with optimum water uptake/retention abilities. Impact of polymer composition and porosity on cell proliferation was investigated through MTT assay, where sample B was observed to be supporting better cell proliferation, due to its internal structure. The above results were further confirmed by ALP and Col-I gene expression studies using RT-PCR. Immunofluorescent studies also revealed the extracellular filamentous actin organization over the scaffolds, where cell adhesion and proliferation was found to be higher with increase in PGA content, which is a hydrophilic polymer.
Keywords: Mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, PLGA scaffolds, salt fusion, solvent casting, umbilical cord blood
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