Polylactide coated hydroxyapatite nanoparticles for reinforced biodegradable polymer scaffolds

Abstract

Tissue engineering involves combining cells and biomaterials to generate scaffolds that act as templates for tissue regeneration. Polylactide (PLA) is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, but critical problems are associated with it due to its hydrophobicity and its inadequate mechanical properties. Hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) exhibit chemical similarity to the main mineral component of bone, and promise to provide strength to compensate for the low durability of PLA. Due to the incompatibility of unmodified hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and PLA, PLA-­coated hydroxyapatite will be synthesized in order to promote successful interaction with the PLA fiber. Once the PLA-­coated hydroxyapatite is integrated successfully and is dispersed evenly into the PLA fiber, it will provide strength throughout the scaffold in a uniform manner. As the PLA surrounding the PLA-­coated HA nanoparticles degrades, the remaining HA will incorporate itself into the bone naturally, filling the targeted defect while preventing an immunogenic response from occurring in the body.