Radiation-grafted poly(acrylic acid) on bacterial nanocellulose scaffolds modulates human adipose-derived stem cell morphology, proliferation, and extracellular matrix expression

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a promising biomaterial for wound healing due to its nanofibrillar architecture and high biocompatibility. In this study, BNC was produced using mango pulp waste as an alternative carbon source and subsequently modified through γ-radiation-induced grafting of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) to alter its surface properties. Physicochemical characterization confirmed successful functionalization while preserving the native nanofibrillar structure, along with changes in hydration-related behavior consistent with increased surface polarity. The biological response of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) was evaluated in vitro. Compared with pristine BNC, the modified scaffolds were associated with changes in cell morphology, proliferation, and extracellular matrix (ECM)-related protein expression. In particular, pristine BNC supported greater cell spreading and proliferation, whereas BNC-g-PAA was associated with a distinct ECM-related profile. These findings suggest that γ-radiation-induced grafting can be used to)te the surface properties of BNC scaffolds and influence cell behavior. However, further studies are required to elucidate the contribution of grafting density, potential residual compounds from the carbon source, and long-term material-cell interactions. This work contributes to the development of sustainable, bioactive nanocellulose-based scaffolds for regenerative applications.