Abstract Background: Fractures, which may occur from trauma, tumor removal, or age-related decline, continue to be problematic within orthopedic practice. Tissue engineering has recently developed new opportunities for bone repair that combine biological agents with biomaterials. We developed a nanofibrous scaffold of polycaprolactone and gelatin (PCL/GEL) reinforced with nano-hydroxyapatite and different levels of Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF). We developed scaffolds using electrospinning or freeze-drying processes to create different scaffold configurations. Cell viability was tested using the MTT assay at 1-, 3- and 7-days. We also measured expression of bone-specific genes using Real Time PCR and assessed cell morphology with histological techniques. Results: The three-layer scaffold with a medium PRF concentration resulted in measurably higher cell viability. We continued to analyze the ability to support osteogenic differentiation by performing RT-qPCR for COL1, RUNX2 and COLX gene expression on day 14. The PRF concentration of collagen II expression and our analysis of morphology also supported the findings within the medium PRF group. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that this scaffold formulation enhanced cell viability and the expression of bone-specific genes, making it a potential option for bone tissue engineering.
Pestehei et al. (2025) studied this question.