Biodegradable scaffolds have significant potential for directed tissue regeneration in craniofacial and oral applications and bone regeneration. We designed an innovative cerium-altered/collagen-clacked polycaprolactone/poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PC/PL) electrospun scaffolds (PC/PL-PD-Ce-CL) to address the deficiencies of existing scaffold materials regarding osteogenic and antimicrobial characteristics. Novel scaffolds were developed by electrospinning a fundamental PCL/PLGA matrix, impregnating in situ reduction with cerium nanoparticles (CeNPs), applying a polydopamine coating, and clacking with collagen. The mechanical tests and scanning electron microscope demonstrated that the distinctive NSs preserved their tensile strength and elasticity modulus post-modification. The cell proliferation CCK-8 assay indicated that the PC/PL-PD-Ce-CL NSs exhibited a superior MG63 cell proliferation and cell adhesion ratio compared to the rest of the NSs. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and the expression levels of BMP2 and RUNX2 in MG63 cells cultivated on PC/PL-PD-Ce-CL NSs for 7 and 14 days were considerably elevated compared to the controls. The PC/PL-PD-Ce-CL and PC/PL-PD-Ce NSs exhibited a broader antibacterial zone compared to the control NSs, and bacterial fluorescence diminished on the Ce-altered NSs of incubation with S. mutans and S. aureus. Our innovative PC/PL-PD-Ce-CL NSs improved cytocompatibility, osteogenesis, and antibacterial capabilities, demonstrating their promising therapeutic applications for orofacial treatment.
Keywords: Cerium; Cytocompatibility; Microbial inhibition; Nanofibrous scaffolds; Orofacial treatment.
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