We examined the surface properties and the dissolution behavior of electrospun mesoporous silica nanofibers (MSNF) as potential degradable scaffolding material for primary hippocampal neuron cell growth and differentiation. Two different surface functionalization chemicals, poly-d-lysine (PDL) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS), produced bioactive surfaces that promote cell adhesion. Surface amino group densities were assessed using fluorescence microscopy with fluorescein Isothiocyanate (FITC) as fluorescent probes. PDL-modified surfaces resulted in higher amino group densities than those modified with APTS.  Silica dissolution of the various modified versus nonmodified MSNF were assess by both silicomolybdate blue method tests and ICP-OES. SEM image analysis during the dissolution process confirms there to be continuous dissolution during which fibers collapse, flatten, and eventually fully dissolve into solution. Interactions between MSNF and neurons were also examined using SEM and ICP-OES to better understand the effect of cell attachment and growth on MSFN dissolution.

Surface modification and characterization of degradable 3D electrospun mesoporous silica nanofibers for tissue engineering

247th National Meeting (2014)

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