Osteogenesis induction of periodontal ligament cells onto bone morphogenic protein-2 immobilized PCL fibers

The purpose of this study was to develop bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) immobilized PCL fibers to induce osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs). The PCL fiber surface was modified with heparin-dopamine (Hep-DOPA) (Hep-PCL) and further immobilized with BMP-2 (BMP-2/Hep-PCL). PCL fibers and surface-modified PCL fibers (Hep-PCL and BMP-2/Hep-PCL) were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle. Osteogenic differentiation of PDLCs was demonstrated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposition, and gene expression. The results of XPS and contact angle revealed that Hep-DOPA and BMP-2 were successfully immobilized onto the PCL surface and that the BMP-2/Hep-PCL fibers have more hydrophilic surface properties than PCL fibers alone. ALP activity, calcium deposition, and gene expression on BMP-2/Hep-PCL fibers showed significantly induced osteogenic differentiation relative to PCL fibers. Therefore, we suggest that BMP-2/Hep-PCL fibers have the potential to effectively induce osteogenic differentiation of PDLCs.