Development of Innovative Biocomposites with Collagen, Keratin and Hydroxyapatite for Bone Tissue Engineering
Florin Popescu,
Irina Titorencu,
Madalina Albu Kaya,
Florin Miculescu,
Raluca Tutuianu,
Alina Elena Coman,
Elena Danila,
Minodora Maria Marin,
Diana-Larisa Ancuta,
Cristin Coman,
Adrian Barbilian
Affiliations
Florin Popescu
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 8 Eroii Sanitari Bvd., 050474 Bucharest, Romania
Irina Titorencu
Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology ‘’Nicolae Simionescu’’, 8 B. P. Hasdeu Street, District 5, 050568 Bucharest, Romania
Madalina Albu Kaya
INCDTP—Division Leather and Footwear Research Institute, 93 Ion Minulescu Str., 031215 Bucharest, Romania
Florin Miculescu
Department of Metallic Materials Science, Physical Metallurgy, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 313 Independenței Spl., 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Raluca Tutuianu
Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology ‘’Nicolae Simionescu’’, 8 B. P. Hasdeu Street, District 5, 050568 Bucharest, Romania
Alina Elena Coman
INCDTP—Division Leather and Footwear Research Institute, 93 Ion Minulescu Str., 031215 Bucharest, Romania
Elena Danila
INCDTP—Division Leather and Footwear Research Institute, 93 Ion Minulescu Str., 031215 Bucharest, Romania
Minodora Maria Marin
Advanced Polymer Materials Group, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
Diana-Larisa Ancuta
“Cantacuzino” National Medical-Military Institute for Research and Development, 103 Independenței Spl., 050096 Bucharest, Romania
Cristin Coman
“Cantacuzino” National Medical-Military Institute for Research and Development, 103 Independenței Spl., 050096 Bucharest, Romania
Adrian Barbilian
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 8 Eroii Sanitari Bvd., 050474 Bucharest, Romania
This study follows the process for the development of an innovative biomimetic composite derived from bovine collagen with keratin, with hydroxyapatite being hybridized into its architecture, and it builds a comprehensive evaluation of the composite’s characteristics. The novel biomimetic materials are tailored with special traits to be achieved for the repair of osteochondral defects (OCDs). The purpose of the present research is to create a reliable effective alternative to existing bone graft materials while leveraging the intrinsic properties of the components for enhanced osteoinduction and integration. The composites were characterized based on their morphological properties, including water absorption, through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their structural properties were characterized by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Biological performance was assessed in vitro using human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), focusing on cytotoxicity, cell viability, and the ability to support cell colonization with forthcoming results. This in vivo study illustrates the real potential that this class of novel composites exhibits in regard to bone and cartilage tissue engineering and encourages further exploration and development for future clinical applications.
