Biocompatibility of Polyester Scaffolds with Fibroblasts and Osteoblast-like Cells for Bone Tissue Engineering

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity and cytocompatibility of the developed aliphatic polyester co-polymer scaffolds: poly(L-lactide-co-e-caprolactone) and poly(L-lactide-co-1,5-dioxepan-2-one). The scaffolds were produced by solvent casting and particulate leaching, and tested by direct and indirect contact cytotoxicity assays on human osteoblast-like cells and mouse fibroblasts. Cell morphology was documented by light and scanning electron microscopy. Viability was assessed by the MTT, neutral red uptake, lactic dehydrogenase and apoptosis assays. Extraction tests confirmed that the scaffolds did not have a cytotoxic effect on the cells. The cells grew and spread well on the test scaffolds with good cellular attachment and viability. The scaffolds are noncytotoxic and biocompatible with the two cell types and warrant continued investigation as potential constructs for bone tissue engineering.