Gradient Organic Inorganic Nanocomposites for Tissue Repair at the Cartilage/Bone Interface

Abstract:

Damages to articular cartilage that are caused by trauma, age-related diseases (arthritis, arthrosis) and/or physical stress pose major medical problems. A possible solution is to introduce a biodegradable sponge-like scaffold containing cartilage-forming cells. In the current work we developed a model for a partially calcified functional biomedical membrane with a gradient of calcium phosphate crystal density to form the interface between bone and a sponge-like cell containing scaffold for cartilage regeneration. The membrane consists of a biocompatible, biodegradable, partially calcified hydrogel, in our case gelatin was used. One part is an organic-inorganic nanocomposite consisting of nanocrystalline calcium phosphate particles, formed in situ within the hydrogel, while the other part is the hydrogel without inorganic crystals. The experimental method used was one-dimensional single diffusion. Gelatin gels containing calcium or phosphate ions, respectively, were exposed from the upper side to a solution of the other constituent ion (i.e. a sodium phosphate solution was allowed to diffuse into a calcium containing gel and vice versa). Scanning electron microscopy (E-SEM), EDX, XRD and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the existence within the gel of a density gradient of carbonate apatite crystals, with a dense top layer extending several microns into the gel. Ca/P atomic ratios were in the range characteristic of calcium deficient apatites. The effect of different experimental parameters on the calcification process within the gelatin membranes is discussed.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volumes 493-494)
• Pages: 577-581
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.493-494.577
• Online since: October 2011
• Authors: Meital Gavriel Aviv, Boaz Amit, Avner Yayon, Nissim Garti, Helga Füredi-Milhofer
• Keywords: Articular Cartilage, Bone, Calcium Deficient Apatite, Calcium Phosphate, Diffusion, Gel, Gelatin Membrane, Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposite

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