Composite nanoclay-hydroxyapatite-polymer fiber scaffolds for bone tissue engineering manufactured using pressurized gyration

A novel fabrication of polymer composite fibers using polycaprolactone (PCL), montmorillonite nanoclay (MMT-Clay), and nano-hydroxyapatite-clay (HAP MMT-Clay) is reported for bone tissue engineering applications. Using a pressurized gyration (PG) setup, polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers incorporated with in situ mineralized HAP MMT-Clay and MMT-Clay were investigated. Using the novel fabrication method, we were able to successfully manufacture HAP-nanoclay-PCL fibers. Further, 3D scaffolds made using the prepared fibers were able to enhance bone growth, cell viability, and proliferation. The results demonstrated that the polymer fiber scaffolds are biocompatible, and the cells were able to thrive and differentiate on the fiber scaffolds. A significant increase in cell viability, osteogenic differentiation, ECM formation, and collagen formation was observed with PCL HAP MMT-Clay fibers scaffolds compared to the behaviors in PCL fibers. Further, the intracellular ALP levels increased with PCL HAP MMT-Clay fiber scaffold, indicating enhanced osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. This work shows a promising outlook for the future of manufacturable composite nanoclay polymer fibers incorporated as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications.