The aim of this study was to investigate the surface properties of the newly synthesized amino functionalized copolymer poly(γ-amino-ε-caprolactone- co-ε-caprolactone) (NPCL) by our research group and its influence on cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs).The molecular characteristics of the NPCL copolymers were characterized by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The water contact angle test showed that the NPCL copolymers presented an augmented wettability compared with unmodified poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). The surface composition and morphology of the prepared films were investigated by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Analysis (XPS) and Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and showed a variation on surface morphology. Further in vitro experimental observation ofcellular response on the NPCL films demonstrated that the inclusion of free amino groups resulted in a enhancement of hMSCs adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. In consequence, the aforementioned NPCL copolymer is an excellent candidate for cell cultivation and tissue engineering.
