Advanced smart biomaterials and constructs for hard tissue engineering and regeneration

Advancements and frontiers in nano-based 3D and 4D scaffolds for bone and cartilage tissue engineering

Given the enormous increase in the risks of bone and cartilage defects with the rise in the aging population, the current treatments available are insufficient for handling this burden, and the supply of donor organs for transplantation is limited. Therefore, tissue engineering is a promising approach for treating such defects. Advances in materials research and high-tech optimized fabrication of scaffolds have increased the efficiency of tissue engineering. Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds and hydrogel scaffolds mimic the native extracellular matrix of bone, providing a support for bone and cartilage tissue engineering by increasing cell viability, adhesion, propagation, and homing, and osteogenic isolation and differentiation, vascularization, host integration, and load bearing. The use of these scaffolds with advanced three- and four-dimensional printing technologies has enabled customized bone grafting. In this review, we discuss the different approaches used for cartilage and bone tissue engineering.

Calcium phosphate cement scaffold with stem cell co-culture and prevascularization for dental and craniofacial bone tissue engineering

OBJECTIVE

Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) mimic nanostructured bone minerals and are promising for dental, craniofacial and orthopedic applications. Vascularization plays a critical role in bone regeneration. This article represents the first review on cutting-edge research on prevascularization of CPC scaffolds to enhance bone regeneration.

METHODS

This article first presented the prevascularization of CPC scaffolds. Then the co-culture of two cell types in CPC scaffolds was discussed. Subsequently, to further enhance the prevascularization efficacy, tri-culture of three different cell types in CPC scaffolds was presented.

RESULTS

(1) Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) incorporation in CPC bone cement scaffold greatly enhanced cell affinity and bone prevascularization; (2) By introducing endothelial cells into the culture of osteogenic cells (co-culture of two different cell types, or bi-culture) in CPC scaffold, the bone defect area underwent much better angiogenic and osteogenic processes when compared to mono-culture; (3) Tri-culture with an additional cell type of perivascular cells (such as pericytes) resulted in a substantially enhanced prevascularization of CPC scaffolds in vitro and more new bone and blood vessels in vivo, compared to bi-culture. Furthermore, biological cell crosstalk and capillary-like structure formation made critical contributions to the bi-culture system. In addition, the pericytes in the tri-culture system substantially promoted stability and maturation of the primary vascular network.

SIGNIFICANCE

The novel approach of CPC scaffolds with stem cell bi-culture and tri-culture is of great significance in the regeneration of dental, craniofacial and orthopedic defects in clinical practice.

Macrophage in vitro Response on Hybrid Coatings Obtained by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation

The improvement in the research area of the implant by surface functionalization when correlated with the biological response is of major interest in the biomedical field. Based on the fact that the inflammatory response is directly involved in the ultimate response of the implant within the body, it is essential to study the macrophage-material interactions. Within this context, we have investigated the composite material-macrophage cell interactions and the inflammatory response to these composites with amorphous hydroxyapatite (HA), Lactoferrin (Lf), and polyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone (PEG-PCL) copolymer. All materials are obtained by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) technique and characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Macrophage-differentiated THP-1 cells proliferation and metabolic activity were assessed by qualitative and quantitative methods. The secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) cytokine, in the presence and absence of the inflammatory stimuli (bacterial endotoxin; lipopolysaccharide (LPS)), was measured using an ELISA assay. Our results revealed that the cellular response depended on the physical-chemical characteristics of the coatings. Copolymer-HA-Lf coatings led to low level of pro-inflammatory TNF-α, the increased level of anti-inflammatory IL-10, and the polarization of THP-1 cells towards an M2 pro-reparative phenotype in the presence of LPS. These findings could have important potential for the development of composite coatings in implant applications.

Application of Metal Nanoparticle⁻Hydrogel Composites in Tissue Regeneration

Challenges in organ transplantation such as high organ demand and biocompatibility issues have led scientists in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine to work on the use of scaffolds as an alternative to transplantation. Among different types of scaffolds, polymeric hydrogel scaffolds have received considerable attention because of their biocompatibility and structural similarity to native tissues. However, hydrogel scaffolds have several limitations, such as weak mechanical property and a lack of bioactive property. On the other hand, noble metal particles, particularly gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs), can be incorporated into the hydrogel matrix to form NP⁻hydrogel composite scaffolds with enhanced physical and biological properties. This review aims to highlight the potential of these hybrid materials in tissue engineering applications. Additionally, the main approaches that have been used for the synthesis of NP⁻hydrogel composites and the possible limitations and challenges associated with the application of these materials are discussed.

Current Trends in Fabrication of Biomaterials for Bone and Cartilage Regeneration: Materials Modifications and Biophysical Stimulations

The aim of engineering of biomaterials is to fabricate implantable biocompatible scaffold that would accelerate regeneration of the tissue and ideally protect the wound against biodevice-related infections, which may cause prolonged inflammation and biomaterial failure. To obtain antimicrobial and highly biocompatible scaffolds promoting cell adhesion and growth, materials scientists are still searching for novel modifications of biomaterials. This review presents current trends in the field of engineering of biomaterials concerning application of various modifications and biophysical stimulation of scaffolds to obtain implants allowing for fast regeneration process of bone and cartilage as well as providing long-lasting antimicrobial protection at the site of injury. The article describes metal ion and plasma modifications of biomaterials as well as post-surgery external stimulations of implants with ultrasound and magnetic field, providing accelerated regeneration process. Finally, the review summarizes recent findings concerning the use of piezoelectric biomaterials in regenerative medicine.