Simultaneously constructing nanotopographical and chemical cues in 3D-printed polylactic acid scaffolds to promote bone regeneration

Alkaline etching assisted polydopamine coating for enhanced cell-material interactions on 3D printed polylactic acid scaffolds

The implant surface chemistry and topography are primary factors regulating the success and survival of bone scaffold. Surface modification is a promising alternative to enhance the biocompatibility and tissue response to augment the osteogenic functionalities of polyesters like PLA. The study employed the synergistic effect of alkaline hydrolysis and polydopamine (PDA) functionalization to enhance the cell-material interactions on 3D printed polylactic acid (PLA) scaffold. Comprehensive characterization of the modified PLA highlights the improvements in the physical, chemical and cell-material interactions upon two-step surface modification. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis substantiated enhanced PDA deposition with a ∼8.2% increase in surface N composition after surface etching due to homogeneous PDA deposition compared to the non-etched counterpart. The changes in surface chemistry and morphology upon dual surface modification complemented the human osteoblast (HOS) attachment and proliferation, with distinct cell morphology and spreading on PDA coated etched PLA (Et-PLAPDA) scaffolds. Moreover, substantial improvement in osteogenic differentiation of UMR-106 cells on etched PLA (Et-PLA) and Et-PLAPDA highlights the suitability of alkali etching-mediated PDA deposition to improve mineralization on PLA. Overall, the present work opens insights to modify scaffold surface composition, topography, hydrophilicity and roughness to regulate local cell adhesion to improve the osteogenic potential of PLA.

Structural Functions of 3D-Printed Polymer Scaffolds in Regulating Cell Fates and Behaviors for Repairing Bone and Nerve Injuries

Tissue repair and regeneration, such as bone and nerve restoration, face significant challenges due to strict regulations within the immune microenvironment, stem cell differentiation, and key cell behaviors. The development of 3D scaffolds is identified as a promising approach to address these issues via the efficiently structural regulations on cell fates and behaviors. In particular, 3D-printed polymer scaffolds with diverse micro-/nanostructures offer a great potential for mimicking the structures of tissue. Consequently, they are foreseen as promissing pathways for regulating cell fates, including cell phenotype, differentiation of stem cells, as well as the migration and the proliferation of key cells, thereby facilitating tissue repairs and regenerations. Herein, the roles of structural functions of 3D-printed polymer scaffolds in regulating the fates and behaviors of numerous cells related to tissue repair and regeneration, along with their specific influences are highlighted. Additionally, the challenges and outlooks associated with 3D-printed polymer scaffolds with various structures for modulating cell fates are also discussed.

Polydopamine-Based Biomaterials in Orthopedic Therapeutics: Properties, Applications, and Future Perspectives

Polydopamine is a versatile and modifiable polymer, known for its excellent biocompatibility and adhesiveness. It can also be engineered into a variety of nanoparticles and biomaterials for drug delivery, functional modification, making it an excellent choice to enhance the prevention and treatment of orthopedic diseases. Currently, the application of polydopamine biomaterials in orthopedic disease prevention and treatment is in its early stages, despite some initial achievements. This article aims to review these applications to encourage further development of polydopamine for orthopedic therapeutic needs. We detail the properties of polydopamine and its biomaterial types, highlighting its superior performance in functional modification on nanoparticles and materials. Additionally, we also explore the challenges and future prospects in developing optimal polydopamine biomaterials for clinical use in orthopedic disease prevention and treatment.

Emerging Biomedical and Clinical Applications of 3D-Printed Poly(Lactic Acid)-Based Devices and Delivery Systems

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is widely used in the field of medicine due to its biocompatibility, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. Three-dimensional (3D) printing or the systematic deposition of PLA in layers has enabled the fabrication of customized scaffolds for various biomedical and clinical applications. In tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, 3D-printed PLA has been mostly used to generate bone tissue scaffolds, typically in combination with different polymers and ceramics. PLA's versatility has also allowed the development of drug-eluting constructs for the controlled release of various agents, such as antibiotics, antivirals, anti-hypertensives, chemotherapeutics, hormones, and vitamins. Additionally, 3D-printed PLA has recently been used to develop diagnostic electrodes, prostheses, orthoses, surgical instruments, and radiotherapy devices. PLA has provided a cost-effective, accessible, and safer means of improving patient care through surgical and dosimetry guides, as well as enhancing medical education through training models and simulators. Overall, the widespread use of 3D-printed PLA in biomedical and clinical settings is expected to persistently stimulate biomedical innovation and revolutionize patient care and healthcare delivery.

Promotion of diced cartilage survival and regeneration with grafting of small intestinal submucosa loaded with urine-derived stem cells

Cartilage absorption and calcification are prone to occur after the implantation of diced cartilage wrapped with autologous materials, as well as prolong the operation time, aggravate surgical trauma and postoperative pain during the acquisition process. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) has suitable toughness and excellent degradability, which has been widely used in the clinic. Urine-derived stem cells (USCs), as a new type of stem cells, have multi-directional differentiation potential. In this study, we attempt to create the tissue engineering membrane material, termed USCs-SIS (U-SIS), and wrap the diced cartilage with it, assuming that they can promote the survival and regeneration of cartilage. In this study, after co-culture with the SIS and U-SIS, the proliferation, migration and chondrogenesis ability of the auricular-derived chondrocyte cells (ACs) were significantly improved. Further, the expression levels of chondrocyte phenotype-related genes were up-regulated, whilst that of dedifferentiated genes was down-regulated. The signal pathway proteins (Wnt3a and Wnt5a) were also participated in regulation of chondrogenesis. In vivo, compared with perichondrium, the diced cartilage wrapped with the SIS and U-SIS attained higher survival rate, less calcification and absorption in both short and long terms. Particularly, USCs promoted chondrogenesis and modulated local immune responses via paracrine pathways. In conclusion, SIS have the potential to be a new choice of membrane material for diced cartilage graft. U-SIS can enhance survival and regeneration of diced cartilage as a bioactive membrane material.

Use of 3D-printed polylactic acid/bioceramic composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering in preclinical in vivo studies: A systematic review

3D-printed composite scaffolds have emerged as an alternative to deal with existing limitations when facing bone reconstruction. The aim of the study was to systematically review the feasibility of using PLA/bioceramic composite scaffolds manufactured by 3D-printing technologies as bone grafting materials in preclinical in vivo studies. Electronic databases were searched using specific search terms, and thirteen manuscripts were selected after screening. The synthesis of the scaffolds was carried out using mainly extrusion-based techniques. Likewise, hydroxyapatite was the most used bioceramic for synthesizing composites with a PLA matrix. Among the selected studies, seven were conducted in rats and six in rabbits, but the high variability that exists regarding the experimental process made it difficult to compare them. Regarding the results, PLA/Bioceramic composite scaffolds have shown to be biocompatible and mechanically resistant. Preclinical studies elucidated the ability of the scaffolds to be used as bone grafts, allowing bone growing without adverse reactions. In conclusion, PLA/Bioceramics scaffolds have been demonstrated to be a promising alternative for treating bone defects. Nevertheless, more care should be taken when designing and performing in vivo trials, since the lack of standardization of the processes, which prevents the comparison of the results and reduces the quality of the information. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: 3D-printed polylactic acid/bioceramic composite scaffolds have emerged as an alternative to deal with existing limitations when facing bone reconstruction. Since preclinical in vivo studies with animal models represent a mandatory step for clinical translation, the present manuscript analyzed and discussed not only those aspects related to the selection of the bioceramic material, the synthesis of the implants and their characterization. But provides a new approach to understand how the design and perform of clinical trials, as well as the selection of the analysis methods, may affect the obtained results, by covering authors' knowledgebase from veterinary medicine to biomaterial science. Thus, this study aims to systematically review the feasibility of using polylactic acid/bioceramic scaffolds as grafting materials in preclinical trials.

Applications of poly(lactic acid) in bone tissue engineering: A review article

BACKGROUND

Bone tissue engineering is a promising approach to large-scale bone regeneration. This involves the use of an artificial extracellular matrix or scaffold and osteoblasts to promote osteogenesis and ossification at defect sites. Scaffolds are constructed using biomaterials that typically have properties similar to those of natural bone.

METHOD

In this study, which is a review of the literature, various evidences have been discussed in the field of Poly Lactic acid (PLA) polymer application and modifications made on it in order to induce osteogenesis and repair bone lesions.

RESULTS

PLA is a synthetic aliphatic polymer that has been extensively used for scaffold construction in bone tissue engineering owing to its good processability, biocompatibility, and flexibility in design. However, PLA has some drawbacks, including low osteoconductivity, low cellular adhesion, and the possibility of inflammatory reactions owing to acidic discharge in a living environment. To overcome these issues, a combination of PLA and other biomaterials has been introduced.

CONCLUSIONS

This short review discusses PLA's characteristics of PLA, its applications in bone regeneration, and its combination with other biomaterials.

Osteogenic Activity on NaOH-Etched Three-Dimensional-Printed Poly-ɛ-Caprolactone Scaffolds in Perfusion or Spinner Flask Bioreactor

Bioreactor systems, for example, spinner flask and perfusion bioreactors, and cell-seeded three-dimensional (3D)-printed scaffolds are used in bone tissue engineering strategies to stimulate cells and produce bone tissue suitable for implantation into the patient. The construction of functional and clinically relevant bone graft using cell-seeded 3D-printed scaffolds within bioreactor systems is still a challenge. Bioreactor parameters, for example, fluid shear stress and nutrient transport, will crucially affect cell function on 3D-printed scaffolds. Therefore, fluid shear stress induced by spinner flask and perfusion bioreactors might differentially affect osteogenic responsiveness of pre-osteoblasts inside 3D-printed scaffolds. We designed and fabricated surface-modified 3D-printed poly-ɛ-caprolactone (PCL) scaffolds, as well as static, spinner flask, and perfusion bioreactors to determine fluid shear stress and osteogenic responsiveness of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts seeded on the scaffolds in the bioreactors using finite element (FE)-modeling and experiments. FE-modeling was used to quantify wall shear stress (WSS) distribution and magnitude inside 3D-printed PCL scaffolds within spinner flask and perfusion bioreactors. MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts were seeded on NaOH surface-modified 3D-printed PCL scaffolds, and cultured in customized static, spinner flask, and perfusion bioreactors up to 7 days. The scaffolds' physicochemical properties and pre-osteoblast function were assessed experimentally. FE-modeling showed that spinner flask and perfusion bioreactors locally affected WSS distribution and magnitude inside the scaffolds. The WSS distribution was more homogeneous inside scaffolds in perfusion than in spinner flask bioreactors. The average WSS on scaffold-strand surfaces ranged from 0 to 6.5 mPa for spinner flask bioreactors, and from 0 to 4.1 mPa for perfusion bioreactors. Surface modification of scaffolds by NaOH resulted in a surface with a honeycomb-like pattern and increased surface roughness (1.6-fold), but decreased water contact angle (0.3-fold). Both spinner flask and perfusion bioreactors increased cell spreading, proliferation, and distribution throughout the scaffolds. Perfusion, but not spinner flask bioreactors more strongly enhanced collagen (2.2-fold) and calcium deposition (2.1-fold) throughout the scaffolds after 7 days compared with static bioreactors, likely due to uniform WSS-induced mechanical stimulation of the cells revealed by FE-modeling. In conclusion, our findings indicate the importance of using accurate FE models to estimate WSS and determine experimental conditions for designing cell-seeded 3D-printed scaffolds in bioreactor systems. Impact Statement The success of cell-seeded three-dimensional (3D)-printed scaffolds depends on cell stimulation by biomechanical/biochemical factors to produce bone tissue suitable for implantation into the patient. We designed and fabricated surface-modified 3D-printed poly-ɛ-caprolactone (PCL) scaffolds, as well as static, spinner flask, and perfusion bioreactors to determine wall shear stress (WSS) and osteogenic responsiveness of pre-osteoblasts seeded on the scaffolds using finite element (FE)-modeling and experiments. We found that cell-seeded 3D-printed PCL scaffolds within perfusion bioreactors more strongly enhanced osteogenic activity than within spinner flask bioreactors. Our results indicate the importance of using accurate FE-models to estimate WSS and determine experimental conditions for designing cell-seeded 3D-printed scaffolds in bioreactor systems.

Impact of In-Process Crystallinity of Biodegradable Scaffolds Fabricated by Material Extrusion on the Micro- and Nanosurface Topography, Viability, Proliferation, and Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Due to affordability, and the ability to parametrically control the vital processing parameters, material extrusion is a widely accepted technology in tissue engineering. Material extrusion offers sufficient control over pore size, geometry, and spatial distribution, and can also yield different levels of in-process crystallinity in the resulting matrix. In this study, an empirical model based on four process parameters—extruder temperature, extrusion speed, layer thickness, and build plate temperature—was used to control the level of in-process crystallinity of polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds. Two sets of scaffolds were fabricated, with low- and high-crystallinity content, and subsequently seeded with human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSC). The biochemical activity of hMSC cells was tested by examining the DNA content, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) tests. The results of this 21-day in vitro experiment showed that high level crystallinity scaffolds performed significantly better in terms of cell response. Follow-up tests revealed that the two types of scaffolds were equivalent in terms of hydrophobicity, and module of elasticity. However, detailed examination of their micro- and nanosurface topographic features revealed that the higher crystallinity scaffolds featured pronounced nonuniformity and a larger number of summits per sampling area, which was the main contributor to a significantly better cell response.

Effects of surface patterning and topography on the cellular functions of tissue engineered scaffolds with special reference to 3D bioprinting

The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the tissue organ exhibits a topography from the nano to micrometer range, and the design of scaffolds has been inspired by the host environment. Modern bioprinting aims to replicate the host tissue environment to mimic the native physiological functions. A detailed discussion on the topographical features controlling cell attachment, proliferation, migration, differentiation, and the effect of geometrical design on the wettability and mechanical properties of the scaffold are presented in this review. Moreover, geometrical pattern-mediated stiffness and pore arrangement variations for guiding cell functions have also been discussed. This review also covers the application of designed patterns, gradients, or topographic modulation on 3D bioprinted structures in fabricating the anisotropic features. Finally, this review accounts for the tissue-specific requirements that can be adopted for topography-motivated enhancement of cellular functions during the fabrication process with a special thrust on bioprinting.

Three-Dimensional Impression of Biomaterials for Alveolar Graft: Scoping Review

Craniofacial bone defects are one of the biggest clinical challenges in regenerative medicine, with secondary autologous bone grafting being the gold-standard technique. The development of new three-dimensional matrices intends to overcome the disadvantages of the gold-standard method. The aim of this paper is to put forth an in-depth review regarding the clinical efficiency of available 3D printed biomaterials for the correction of alveolar bone defects. A survey was carried out using the following databases: PubMed via Medline, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, and gray literature. The inclusion criteria applied were the following: in vitro, in vivo, ex vivo, and clinical studies; and studies that assessed bone regeneration resorting to 3D printed biomaterials. The risk of bias of the in vitro and in vivo studies was performed using the guidelines for the reporting of pre-clinical studies on dental materials by Faggion Jr and the SYRCLE risk of bias tool, respectively. In total, 92 publications were included in the final sample. The most reported three-dimensional biomaterials were the PCL matrix, β-TCP matrix, and hydroxyapatite matrix. These biomaterials can be combined with different polymers and bioactive molecules such as rBMP-2. Most of the included studies had a high risk of bias. Despite the advances in the research on new three-dimensionally printed biomaterials in bone regeneration, the existing results are not sufficient to justify the application of these biomaterials in routine clinical practice.

In Situ Growth of Tunable Gold Nanoparticles by Titania Nanotubes Templated Electrodeposition for Improving Osteogenesis through Modulating Macrophages Polarization

Driving macrophages M2 polarization has attracted growing attention for improving osteogenesis. Here, the in situ growth of tunable gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on titania nanotubes (TiNTs) array was realized by electrodeposition, with the guidance of TiNTs. The fabricated Au layer showed excellent biocompatibility with different osteoimmune effects. Briefly, the Au deposition on 5 and 10 V anodized TiNTs surface could induce RAW264.7 cells to M2 polarization, whereas the Au deposition on 20 V anodized TiNTs surface showed M1 polarization, as indicated by various markers determination through immunofluorescence staining, qPCR, Western blot, and ELISA. Furthermore, the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 was significantly enhanced by the macrophages conditioned medium from the Au@10VNTs surface. The in vivo tests also confirmed denser and thicker new trabecula bone formation and more M2 macrophages infiltration both on and adjacent to the Au@10VNTs implant surface. In mechanism, the cytokine array analysis of macrophages conditioned medium from the Au@10VNTs surface revealed the upregulation of pro-healing cytokines such as IL-10 and VEGF and downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and MCSF. In addition, the NF-κB pathway was significantly inhibited. In conclusion, the electrodeposition of a Au layer guided by TiNTs is a promising strategy for reducing postoperative inflammatory reactions and improving osseointegration through modulating macrophages polarization.

How the mechanical microenvironment of stem cell growth affects their differentiation: a review

Stem cell differentiation is of great interest in medical research; however, specifically and effectively regulating stem cell differentiation is still a challenge. In addition to chemical factors, physical signals are an important component of the stem cell ecotone. The mechanical microenvironment of stem cells has a huge role in stem cell differentiation. Herein, we describe the knowledge accumulated to date on the mechanical environment in which stem cells exist, which consists of various factors, including the extracellular matrix and topology, substrate stiffness, shear stress, hydrostatic pressure, tension, and microgravity. We then detail the currently known signalling pathways that stem cells use to perceive the mechanical environment, including those involving nuclear factor-kB, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, the piezoelectric mechanosensitive ion channel, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α. Using this information in clinical settings to treat diseases is the goal of this research, and we describe the progress that has been made. In this review, we examined the effects of mechanical factors in the stem cell growth microenvironment on stem cell differentiation, how mechanical signals are transmitted to and function within the cell, and the influence of mechanical factors on the use of stem cells in clinical applications.

Mussel-Inspired Polydopamine-Based Multilayered Coatings for Enhanced Bone Formation

Repairing bone defects remains a challenge in clinical practice and the application of artificial scaffolds can enhance local bone formation, but the function of unmodified scaffolds is limited. Considering different application scenarios, the scaffolds should be multifunctionalized to meet specific demands. Inspired by the superior adhesive property of mussels, polydopamine (PDA) has attracted extensive attention due to its universal capacity to assemble on all biomaterials and promote further adsorption of multiple external components to form PDA-based multilayered coatings with multifunctional property, which can induce synergistic enhancement of new bone formation, such as immunomodulation, angiogenesis, antibiosis and antitumor property. This review will summarize mussel-inspired PDA-based multilayered coatings for enhanced bone formation, including formation mechanism and biofunction of PDA coating, as well as different functional components. The synergistic enhancement of multiple functions for better bone formation will also be discussed. This review will inspire the design and fabrication of PDA-based multilayered coatings for different application scenarios and promote deeper understanding of their effect on bone formation, but more efforts should be made to achieve clinical translation. On this basis, we present a critical conclusion, and forecast the prospects of PDA-based multilayered coatings for bone regeneration.

Cryogenic 3D printing of modified polylactic acid scaffolds with biomimetic nanofibrous architecture for bone tissue engineering

The individualized polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds fabricated by 3D printing technique have a good application prospect in the bone tissue engineering field. However, 3D printed PLA scaffold mainly manufactured by using a Fused Deposition Modelling fabrication technique (FDM) has some disadvantages, such as having smooth surface, strong hydrophobicity, poor cell adhesion, undesirable bioactivity, the degradation and deterioration at a high temperature triggering an inflammatory response. In this work, the aminated modified polylactic acid nanofibrous scaffold prepared by cryogenic 3D printing technology is designed to provide a feasible countermeasure to solve the key problems existing at present. The prepared scaffolds were fully characterized in terms of physico-chemical and morphological analyses, and the collected results revealed that the using of the cryogenic 3D printing technology can effectively avoid the degradation and deterioration of PLA at a high temperature required by FDM technique and promote the formation of nanofibrous structures. The in vitro tests with MC3T3-E1 cells confirmed that the cell-responsive biomimetic fibrous architecture and improved hydrophilicity due to the introduction of hydrophilic active amino groups provided a bioactive interface for cell adhesion and growth. Meanwhile, the active amino groups introduced by ammonolysis reaction can act as active sites for biomineralization. Thus, the as-prepared scaffolds may hold great potential for bone tissue engineering applications.

A three-dimensional-printed SPION/PLGA scaffold for enhanced palate-bone regeneration and concurrent alteration of the oral microbiota in rats

Scaffold implantation for the repair of oral bone defects involves an interplay between the scaffold biomaterial and the microenvironment. However, previous studies on this subject have only considered the effects of the immune system and largely ignored those of the oral microbiota. Accordingly, in the present study, we prepared composite scaffolds comprising a three-dimensional poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) matrix with a superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION) coating and used a rat model to evaluate their palate-bone-regenerating effects and their interaction with the oral microbiota. It was found that the SPION coated scaffold induced better bone regeneration than that achieved by the controls. Furthermore, it significantly decreased the operational taxonomic units (OTU) numbers as determined by 16 s rRNA gene sequencing, and also resulted in decreased Chao and ACE alpha diversity indexes compared with those of the controls. However, it had no effect on beta diversity. SPION coated scaffolds caused a shift in oral bacterial composition characterized by a decrease in the Clostridium spp. population, and the dominant flora being Proteobacteria. Furthermore, SPION coated scaffolds upregulated the concentration of serum iron, hepcidin, and P1NP. Thus, SPION coated scaffolds enhanced bone regeneration, and this effect was partly related to alteration of the oral microbiota by the antibacterial effects of SPION. Our findings provide a better understanding of the role of oral microbiota in oral bone regeneration and how SPION coated scaffolds can be used to enhance it.

The Effect of Physical Cues of Biomaterial Scaffolds on Stem Cell Behavior

Stem cells have been sought as a promising cell source in the tissue engineering field due to their proliferative capacity as well as differentiation potential. Biomaterials have been utilized to facilitate the delivery of stem cells in order to improve their engraftment and long-term viability upon implantation. Biomaterials also have been developed as scaffolds to promote stem cell induced tissue regeneration. This review focuses on the latter where the biomaterial scaffold is designed to provide physical cues to stem cells in order to promote their behavior for tissue formation. Recent work that explores the effect of scaffold physical properties, topography, mechanical properties and electrical properties, is discussed. Although still being elucidated, the biological mechanisms, including cell shape, focal adhesion distribution, and nuclear shape, are presented. This review also discusses emerging areas and challenges in clinical translation.