Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles hold promise for use in regenerative medicine partly because of their excellent biocompatibility and calcium phosphate composition which may enhance cell migration and modulate biological responses relevant to wound healing. Aim Hydroxyapatite nanoparticle synthesis and characterization was undertaken, and the potential for these nanoparticles to stimulate wound healing was examined with the use of in vitro cell line assays. Materials and Methods Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were synthesized, and their structures were characterized by microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. Cell morphology was used to qualitatively evaluate the biocompatibility of the nanoparticles. An MTT assay was used to quantitatively evaluate the biocompatibility of the nanoparticles. In this assay, cells were treated with increasing concentrations of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, and cell viability was assessed after 24 h. The scratch assay was used to determine the in vitro wound healing potential of the hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. The scratch was visualized at time points zero and 24 h. The markers of inflammation and wound healing, VEGF and FGF, and cytokines IL-4 and IL-1β, respectively, were measured using the qRT-PCR technique. Results TEM images show hydroxyapatite nanoparticles exhibiting a size range of 10–25 nm and an aggregated structure. SEM and AFM images show rough and granular surface topography of the nanoparticles and EDX showed signals for calcium, phosphorus, and oxygen. The nanoparticles were cytocompatible as the cell viability was greater than 90% for all concentrations tested. Nanoparticle treatment in scratch assays resulted in improved cell migration and decreased wound gaps. There was an increase in the gene expression of VEGF, FGF, and IL-4 and a decrease of IL-1β. Conclusion The hydroxyapatite nanoparticles that were synthesized are biocompatible and support the process of migration during wound healing and the modulation of gene expression in the process of wound healing. The nanoparticles may be appropriate for use as nanobiomaterials in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.</p>