Osteogenic Differentiation Potential of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cultured on Magnesium Oxide/Polycaprolactone Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Improving Bone Tissue Reconstruction

Purpose: Recently, bone tissue engineering as a new strategy is used to repair and replacebone defects due to limitations in allograft and autograft methods. In this regard, we preparednanofibrous scaffolds composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and magnesium oxide (MgO)nanoparticles using the electrospinning technique for possible bone tissue engineeringapplications.Methods: The fabricated composites were characterized via scanning electron microscopy(SEM) imaging of scaffolds and seeded cells, water contact angle, DAPI staining, and MTTassay. Then osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells cultured onthis composite scaffold was determined by standard osteogenic marker tests, including alkalinephosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposition, and expression of osteogenic differentiationgenes in the laboratory conditions.Results: The SEM analysis demonstrated that the diameter of nanofibers significantly decreasedfrom 1029.25±209.349 μm to 537.83+0.140 nm, with the increase of MgO concentration to2% (P < 0.05). Initial adhesion and proliferation of the adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cellson MgO/PCL scaffolds were significantly enhanced with the increasing of MgO concentration(P <0.05). The 2% MgO/PCL nanofibrous scaffold showed significant increase in ALP activity (P<0.05) and osteogenic-related gene expressions (Col1a1 and OPN) (P <0.05) in compared topure PCL and (0, 0.5 and 1%) MgO/PCL scaffolds.Conclusion: According to the results, it was demonstrated that MgO/PCL composite nanofibershave considerable osteoinductive potential, and taking together adipose-derived mesenchymalstem cells-MgO/PCL composite nanofibers can be a proper bio-implant to usage for boneregenerative medicine applications. Future in vivo studies are needed to determine thiscomposite therapeutic potential.