In vitro and in vivo studies of a novel bacterial cellulose-based acellular bilayer nanocomposite scaffold for the repair of osteochondral defects.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a naturally occurring nanofibrous biomaterial which exhibits unique physical properties and is amenable to chemical modifications. To explore whether this versatile material can be used in the treatment of osteochondral defects (OCD), we developed and characterized novel BC-based nanocomposite scaffolds, for example, BC-hydroxyapatite (BC-HA) and BC-glycosaminoglycans (BC-GAG) that mimic bone and cartilage, respectively. In vitro biocompatibility of BC-HA and BC-GAG scaffolds was established using osteosarcoma cells, human articular chondrocytes, and human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.