Hydrolysis and biomineralization of porous PLA microspheres and their influence on cell growth

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) microspheres have great potential in bone tissue engineering. However, their applications have been limited by surface and bulk properties such as hydrophobicity, lack of cell recognition sites and acidic degradation products. Apatite is a mineral which can effectively promote the adhesion and growth of bone cells. In this study, the bonelike mineral, carbonate apatite, was successfully used to functionalize porous PLA microspheres by a biomimetic mineralization method. To improve apatite formation, porous PLA microspheres were first selectively hydrolyzed in NaOH solution to increase the density of polar anionic groups on the surface, and then immersed in simulated body fluid for biomineralization. The morphology, composition, and phase structure of bioactive mineral grown on the original and hydrolyzed PLA microspheres were analyzed and compared quantitatively. The results showed that the hydrolysis which took place on the PLA microspheres enhanced the nucleation and growth of apatite. MG-63 cells attached well and spread actively on the mineralized PLA microspheres, indicating their strong potential in bone tissue engineering.