Gelatin-based Nanocomposite Scaffolds Containing Citrated Starch Nanoparticles for Sustained Delivery of Platelet-rich Plasma in Bone Tissue Engineering

Shokrolahi, Saeedeh; Nourmohammadi, Jhamak; Abdollahi Boraei, Seyyed Behnam; Seyedjafari, Ehsan

doi:10.22034/JTRM.2.1022

Gelatin-based Nanocomposite Scaffolds Containing Citrated Starch Nanoparticles for Sustained Delivery of Platelet-rich Plasma in Bone Tissue Engineering

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Saeedeh Shokrolahi ¹

Jhamak Nourmohammadi ¹

Seyyed Behnam Abdollahi Boraei ²

Ehsan Seyedjafari ³

¹ School of Life Science Engineering, College of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

² Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Group, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran.

³ Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22034/JTRM.2.1022

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to develop a multifunctional gelatin-based nanocomposite scaffold modified with citrated starch nanoparticles (CS-NPs) for the sustained delivery of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in bone tissue engineering (BTE).
Methods: CS-NPs, with a primary particle size of 30–50 nm by TEM (number-weighted DLS peak at 36.2 nm) and a hydrodynamic Z-average of 691 nm (zeta potential: -2.21 mV), were prepared via nanoprecipitation and thermal esterification, loaded with PRP, and incorporated into a gelatin matrix to formulate three experimental groups: pristine gelatin (G), gelatin/CS-NPs (G-S), and PRP-loaded nanocomposite scaffolds (G-S-PRP).
Results: The fabricated scaffolds maintained interconnected pores (146–160 μm), high porosity (54–63%), and a compressive modulus ranging from 1.96 to 2.45 MPa. Release assessments showed an initial burst followed by sustained release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and PDGF-BB over 21 days. In vitro culture with human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells demonstrated significantly enhanced cellular metabolic activity, extended cell morphology, ALP activity, and mineralization in the G-S-PRP group compared to the non-PRP controls.
Conclusion: Overall, the developed G-S-PRP scaffold provided an osteogenic-supportive microenvironment in vitro, demonstrating promising feasibility for low-load-bearing bone regeneration applications.

Keywords

Bone tissue engineering (BTE)

Gelatin-based scaffolds

Citrated starch nanoparticles (CS-NPs)

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

Controlled release

Osteogenesis