Effect of Sulfated Polysaccharides and Laponite in Composite Porous Scaffolds on Osteogenesis

This study investigated porous PVA/gelatin-based composite scaffolds reinforced with kappa- or iota-carrageenan and functionalized with laponite nanoclay for bone tissue engineering applications. The authors examined how carrageenan sulfation degree and laponite concentration regulate scaffold structure, mechanics, stability, and osteogenic performance. Carrageenan increased porosity and swelling without altering bulk density, while laponite reinforced pore walls, reduced swelling, and significantly enhanced compressive stiffness. In vitro studies using MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts demonstrated that laponite-containing scaffolds promoted cell adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation, with higher laponite loading favoring mineralization and collagen production. The results establish clear structure–property–function relationships guiding the design of mechanically stable, osteoinductive scaffolds for bone regeneration.