Improvement of polycaprolactone and polyethylene glycol flexible polymeric film enhances bone volume and interconnectivity in bone lesions through transport of mesenchymal stem cells differentiated to osteoblasts

Abstract

AbstractBone fractures are one of the most common types of human injury. This study aimed to create a synergistic action of polymeric films (PFs) based on polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) (PCL‐PEG‐PFs) deposited by casting, combined with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that differentiate into osteoblasts for bone regeneration. In vitro experiments indicated that the PCL‐PEG‐PFs (70:30) exhibited low cytotoxicity and enhanced cell adhesion capacity. In vivo studies were performed to evaluate the bone regeneration capacity of PFs with MSCs that adhered to and differentiated into osteoblasts. The cell differentiation process was carried out for 18 days in cell culture for subsequent implantation in the calvaria of male C57BL/6J mice, which remained in contact with the bone lesion for another 14 days. In vivo studies indicated that the application of PCL‐PEG‐PFs (70:30) increased the bone surface area to the total volume, with significant regeneration areas (levels greater than 25%) and interconnectivity compared to the control. In addition, the generated tissue presented cells with a morphology comparable to that of the peripheral tissue of the injured region, indicating a positive synergistic interaction between PCL‐PEG‐PFs (70:30) and MSCs differentiated into osteoblasts in contact with the bone lesion.