In vitro mineralization of MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells on collagen/nano-hydroxyapatite scaffolds coated carbon/carbon composites

Collagen/nano-hydroxyapatite (collagen/nHA) scaffolds were successfully prepared on carbon/carbon composites as bioactive films using the layer-by-layer coating method. Surface characterizations of collagen/nHA scaffolds were detected by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Compressive strengths of the scaffolds were evaluated by a universal test machine. In vitro biological performances were determined using scaffolds seeded with MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts-like cells and cultured in mineralization medium for up to 21 days. In addition, cellular morphologies and several related gene expressions of MC3T3-E1 cells in the scaffolds were also evaluated. Chemical and morphological analysis showed that the scaffolds had uniform pore sizes and unified phase composition. Mechanical testing indicated that the collagen/nHA scaffolds had the highest compressive strength in 50% of strain condition when the proportion of collagen and nano-hydroxyapatite was 1:3. Cellular morphology observations and cytology tests indicated that MC3T3-E1 cells were adhered on these scaffolds and proliferated. SEM photographs and gene expressions showed that mineralized MC3T3-E1 cells and newly formed extra cellular matrix (ECM) filled up the pores of the scaffolds after the 3-week mineralization inducement. Nano-sized apatite particles were secreted from MC3T3-E1 cells and combined with the reconstructed ECM. Collectively, collagen/nHA scaffolds provided C/C composites with a biomimetic surface for cell adhesion, proliferation and mineralized extra cellular matrices formation.