A new Ag-nanostructured hydroxyapatite porous scaffold: Antibacterial effect and cytotoxicity study.

We report a new chemical method for the functionalization of Mg-hydroxyapatite (Mg-HA) scaffold with Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) integrating in one step both the synthesis of the Ag NPs and their nano-structuring into the HA matrix (Ag-Mg-HA scaffold). This method exploits a green photochemical synthesis and allows the direct growth of Ag NPs on the Mg-HA surface. The surface structure of Ag-Mg-HA scaffold, investigated by scanning electron microscopy, shows no significant changes in the morphology upon Ag NPs incorporation.

Au, Pd and maghemite nanofunctionalized hydroxyapatite scaffolds for bone regeneration.

Nanotechnology plays a key role in the development of innovative scaffolds for bone tissue engineering (BTE) allowing the incorporation of nanomaterials able to improve cell proliferation and differentiation. In this study, Mg-HA-Coll type I scaffolds (Mg-HA-based scaffolds) were nanofunctionalized with gold nanorods (Au NRs), palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) and maghemite nanoparticles (MAG NPs). Nanofunctionalized Mg-HA-based scaffolds (NF-HA-Ss) were tested for their ability to promote both the proliferation and the differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs).

Evaluation of a Cell-Free Collagen Type I-Based Scaffold for Articular Cartilage Regeneration in an Orthotopic Rat Model.

The management of chondral defects represents a big challenge because of the limited self-healing capacity of cartilage. Many approaches in this field obtained partial satisfactory results. Cartilage tissue engineering, combining innovative scaffolds and stem cells from different sources, emerges as a promising strategy for cartilage regeneration.

Evaluation of Biocompatibility and Chondrogenic Potential of a Cell-Free Collagen-Based Scaffold.

Injured articular cartilage has a limited innate regenerative capacity, due to the avascular nature and low cellularity of the tissue itself. Although several approaches have been proposed to repair the joint cartilage, none of them has proven to be effective. The absence of suitable therapeutic options has encouraged tissue-engineering approaches combining specific cell types and biomaterials.

Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells seeded into a collagen-hydroxyapatite scaffold promote bone augmentation after implantation in the mouse.

Traumatic injury or surgical excision of diseased bone tissue usually require the reconstruction of large bone defects unable to heal spontaneously, especially in older individuals. This is a big challenge requiring the development of biomaterials mimicking the bone structure and capable of inducing the right commitment of cells seeded within the scaffold. In particular, given their properties and large availability, the human adipose-derived stem cells are considered as the better candidate for autologous cell transplantation.

Bone augmentation after ectopic implantation of a cell-free collagen-hydroxyapatite scaffold in the mouse.

The bone grafting is the classical way to treat large bone defects. Among the available techniques, autologous bone grafting is still the most used but, however, it can cause complications such as infection and donor site morbidity. Alternative and innovative methods rely on the development of biomaterials mimicking the structure and properties of natural bone.

Collagen-Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds Induce Human Adipose Derived Stem Cells Osteogenic Differentiation In Vitro.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play a crucial role in regulating normal skeletal homeostasis and, in case of injury, in bone healing and reestablishment of skeletal integrity. Recent scientific literature is focused on the development of bone regeneration models where MSCs are combined with biomimetic three-dimensional scaffolds able to direct MSC osteogenesis. In this work the osteogenic potential of human MSCs isolated from adipose tissue (hADSCs) has been evaluated in vitro in combination with collagen/Mg doped hydroxyapatite scaffolds.