Gelatin/beta-TCP composite nanofibers were fabricated by incorporated different content of beta-TCP nanoparticles (0, 5, 10, and 20wt.%) into electrospun gelatin nanofibers. The morphology and chemical structure of the composite nanofibers were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, and TGA techniques. Especially, calcium ion release behaviors from the composite nanofibers were investigated in the cell culture medium and correlated to the osteoblastic behavior of MG-63 cells. The results demonstrated that the adhesion, spreading, proliferation and the early osteogenic differentiation of osteoblast-like MG-63 cells on the composite nanofibers depended positively on the content of incorporated beta-TCP nanoparticles and their dissolution behavior in the medium thereof. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.