Effect of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Hydroxyapatite/Silk Fibroin/Chitosan Composite 3D Scaffold for Rat Skull Defects Repair

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a constructed hydroxyapatite (HA)/silk fibroin (SF)/chitosan (CS) three-dimensional (3D) scaffold, observing the fusion and the extent of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), on rat skull defects repair. Materials and Methods: Fusion of the extracted BMSCs was observed after they were cultured on HA/SF/CS scaffolds. The rat model of a cranial defect was used to detect whether the BMSCs repaired the defect. Results: The BMSCs on the HA/SF/CS 3D scaffold outstretched a large number of pseudopodia, the microfilament of which allowed these cells to fuse together. During the repair process, the HA/SF/CS 3D scaffold was completely degraded, generating new bone, remodeling the scaffold, and scattering in the trabecular structure. Conclusions: The HA/SF/CS composite 3D scaffold was found to be nontoxic and compatible with BMSCs.