Surface‐modified pliable PDLLA/PCL/β‐TCP scaffolds as a promising delivery system for bone regeneration

Surface‐modified poly(d, l‐lactide)/polycaprolactone/β‐tricalcium phosphate complex scaffold was fabricated in this study and we hypothesized that pliable and mechanical strong scaffold would be achieved by regulation of ternary compositions; while superficial modification strategy conduced to preserve and controlled‐release of bioactive growth factors. Properties of the composite scaffolds were systematically investigated, including mechanical properties, surface morphology, porosity, wettability, and releasing behavior. Moreover, the representative cytokine, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (rhBMP‐2), was loaded and implanted into muscular pouch of mouse to assess bone formation in vivo. Improved osteogenesis was achieved ascribed to both amplified β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) content and retarded initial burst release. Particularly, scaffold doped with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) displayed optimal osteogenic capability. The results indicated that the PDLLA/PCL/β‐TCP complex scaffold along with HPMC‐coating and rhBMP‐2 loading was a promising candidate for bone regeneration.