Magnetic keratin/hydrotalcites sponges as potential scaffolds for tissue regeneration

In this work, keratin sponges (Ks) containing magnetic MgFe hydrotalcites (HTlc) nanoparticles were prepared by freeze-drying and tested as 3D scaffolds for tissue regeneration. HTlc nanoparticles were well dispersed in the protein matrix and preserved their lamellar structure. The obtained hybrid materials showed a mean pore diameter of about 48 μm and a swelling ratio of about 6, higher than that of pure Ks (~ 4). Magnetic measurements indicated that the Ks-HTlc samples were magnetized more easily that the pure HTlc ones. Finally, the cell viability test, performed on osteoblasts under the effect of an applied static magnetic field, showed a substantial increase in cellular activity in the hybrid Ks-HTlc sponges compared to the nonmagnetic Ks sponges. Taken together, the reported results indicate that combining keratin with magnetic HTlc nanoparticles is a good strategy to obtain innovative 3D scaffold of potential interest in tissue regeneration, especially bone.