Engineering poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/hydroxyapatite microspheres with diverse macropores patterns and the cellular responses

Abstract

Present studies on the topographic effects of substrates on cell functions are limited to planar substrates, which are usually not applicable in bone repair. Specific patterns are rarely constructed on 3D substrates. Here spherical substrates with macroporous topography were obtained to explore cellular responses. Macropores with tunable density were generated on the surfaces of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/hydroxyapatite (PLGA/HA) microspheres by using HA particles as the pore-forming source. Different densities of macropores represented different topographies and were found to influence the morphology, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human fetal mesenchymal stem cells (fMSCs). The microspheres with a medium density of macropores most benefitted proliferation and differentiation of fMSCs compared with the low and high density ones. This study reveals the role of macroporous spherical surfaces in affecting cell function and may guide the design of functional substrates in bone repair.