International Journal of Nanomedicine Dove;
3a
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Improving effects of chitosan nanofiber scaffolds
on osteoblast proliferation and maturation
Ming-Hua Ho!
Mei-Hsiu Liao?
Yi-Ling Lin?
Chien-Hao Lai?
Pei Lin?
Ruei-Ming Chen?“
"Department of Chemiesl Engineering
Nadonal Taiwan Univerieyof Science
and Technology, Tapes, Tawa Cal
Physiology and Molecular Ima
Rerearch Center ane Departme
‘Anesthesiology, Wan Fang Hospital
Graduate Institute of Medical
Sciences, Taipei Medical University,
‘Talpel.Talwan;‘Anestheties and
‘Toxicology Retearch Center 7sipeh
Medical Unversity Hospital Tape,
of
Correspondence: Rushing Chen
Graduate Inset of Medial Sciences,
College of Medicine, Tape Media!
Universivy 250 Wu Xing St, Tape
110, Taiwan
Tol +666 2.2736 1668 one 3202
Fr 18862 8662 1119
Email emchen@umedutw
Abstract: Osteoblast maturation plays a key role in regulating osteogenesis. Eletrospun
rnanofbrous products were eported to possess a high surface area and porosity. In this study,
we developed chitosan nanofibers and examined the effects of nanofibeous scaffolds on osteo:
‘last maturation and the possible mechanisms. Macro- and miero observations of the chitosan
nanofibers revealed tht these nanoproducts had a at surface and well-distibuted fibers with
nanoscale diameters. Moute osteoblasts were able to alach onto the chitosan nanoSiber sca
folds, andthe scaffolde degraded ina time-dependent manner. Analysis by scanning electron
ictoscopy further showed mouse osteoblasts adhered onto the seaffolds along the nanofibers,
annd cell-cell communication was also detected, Mouse osteoblasts grew much bette on chitosan
nanofiber seaffolds than on chitosan films, In addition, human ostecblasts were able to adhere
and grow on the chitosan nanofiber scaffolds, Interestingly, culturing buman osteoblasts on.
chitosan nanofiber scaffolds ime-dependently increased DNA replication and cell proliferation
{In parallel, administration of human esteoblasts onto chitosan nanofibers significantly induced
costeapontin, esteocalein, and alkaline phosphatate (ALP) messenger (mRNA expression. AS
to the mechanism, chitosan sanosibers triggered runt-rclated tanscrption factor 2 mRNA and
protein syntheses. Consequently, results of ALP-,alzarn ed and von Kossa-taining analyses
showed that chitosan nanofibers improved ostecblast mineralization. Taken together, results
of this study demonstrate that chitosan nanofibers can stimulate osteoblast proliferation and
maturation via runt-telated transcription factor 2-mediated regulation of osteoblast associated
costeopontn, osteocalcin, and ALP gene expression,
Keywords: chitosan nanofibers otecblast-associated gene expression, osteoblast maturation,
Rum
Introduction
Bone contributes to tissue protection, physical movement, and skeletal support. In the
clini, hone diseases suchas bone defects and fractures in patients may lea to disability
or even death. Anatomically, the bone structure is maintained by bone remodeling,
Which is a balanced and dynamic process of bone formation and resorption! Osteo-
blasts, which differentiate from stromal stem cells, were reported to play a central
role in mediating bone formation » Osteogenesis is the process of bone formation and
consists of various consecutive stages, including osteoprogenitor proliferation, matrix
maturation, and osteoblast mineralization Inthe beginning of bone turnover or frac-
ture healing, stem cells and primitive osteoprogenitors proliferate and subsequently
replace old and damaged osteoblasts. These precursor cells successively undergo
sequential differentiation and finally achieve osteablast maturation and bone nodule
formation. However, multiple factors participate in controling osteoblast maturation.
Thus, to develop innovative biomaterials for therapy of hone diseases, itis important
IngeratiorlJooral of Nanomedicine 10149 43-0004 4293
RS feist ra inte hin Sin act eect Saeco ls
fran eter npr a eee dasa yl an
Cio npe one onset ignoring SpecoHo cea
Dovey
to evalvate the mechanisms of how biomaterials regulate
‘osteoblast development
‘A complicated network of molecular events is involved
in regulating bone development." These progressive events
axe tightly regulated by sequential induction of osteablast