Current strategy for orthopedic tissue engineering mainly focusses on the regeneration of the damaged tissue using cell-seeded three-dimensional scaffolds. Biocompatible scaffolds with controllable degradation and suitable mechanical property are required to support new tissue in-growth and regeneration ^[1]. Porous composite scaffolds made from organic and inorganic materials are highly preferred, which can mimic the natural bone in their composition as well can enhance tissue repair ^[2]. Scaffolds with optimum mechanical strength in both dry and wet state are more suitable for in vivo orthopedic application. Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP), a biocompatible ceramic and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), a semi-natural polymer are used in the study to prepare composite scaffolds. Citric acid is used as a crosslinking agent for the polymer to improve its stability ^[3]. Stability, mechanical property in dry and wet conditions and cytocompatibility of the scaffolds were investigated.

Cellulose-BCP (BC25) and crosslinked cellulose-BCP (BC25CA) scaffolds are fabricated by freeze-drying method. The stability of the scaffolds was assessed in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and compressive modulus was measured in dry and wet condition. Cytocompatibility was assessed by culturing pre-osteoblast cells at a density of 2.5×10⁴ on crosslinked scaffold and cell proliferation was measured by performing MTT assay on day 4 and 7.

Crosslinked scaffold was more stable than non-crosslinked scaffold in aqueous environment as the latter disintegrated within few hours in the solution. Non-crosslinked scaffold showed higher compressive modulus of 116.3±14.8 kPa in dry condition but is reduced to 1.2±0.7 kPa in hydrated state. Though the crosslinked scaffold shows low compressive modulus of 37.67±6.7 kPa in dry state, it exhibited appreciable compressive moduli of 17.15±1.3 kPa in hydrated state. Thus, the crosslinking of the scaffolds improved the stability as well as the mechanical strength in wet condition. Cytocompatibility was assessed by culturing pre-osteoblast cells and from the MTT assay, it is shown that the cells are proliferating on the crosslinked scaffolds with time which indicates that the scaffolds are non-toxic and cytocompatible. Stability and optimum mechanical property for scaffold in aqueous environment are highly crucial for in vivo hard tissue regeneration.

This study demonstrated the preparation of crosslinked scaffolds which exhibited good stability and mechanical strength in wet condition along with a porous architecture, controlled degradability and cytocompatibility, hence, crosslinked cellulose-BCP scaffold can be used for orthopedic application.