Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanofillers have attracted significant research interest due to their biocompatibility and low-inflammatory response. Our previous study has demonstrated that poly[(propylmethacryl-heptaisobutyl-POSS)-co-(methylmethacrylate)] (POSS-MMA)-based membranes with various morphological features can be prepared by electrospinning or electrospraying of polymer solutions with concentrations ranging from 17 wt% to 1 wt%. In this study, various blends of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and POSS-MMA were used to prepare fibrous membranes which were then characterized using scanning electron microscopy and surface tensiometer. Aligned and random electrospun composite fibers were further utilized to study the influence of fiber alignment on pre-osteoblast adhesion, morphology, and viability. Water contact angle measurements indicate the increase in the hydrophobicity of electrospun membrane with increasing the concentration of POSS-MMA. Cell viability assay shows the metabolic activity of pre-osteoblasts cultured on POSS-based composite membranes increased in comparison to PCL control. Electron micrographs show that pre-osteoblasts elongate and migrate preferentially along the axis of fiber alignment, which could potentially mimic the anisotropic mechanical properties of bone.

Behavior of pre-osteoblasts on electrospun poly[(propylmethacryl-heptaisobutyl-POSS)-co-(methylmethacrylate)]-based composites

244th National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.