Enhanced bone cell functions on poly(ε-caprolactone) triacrylate networks grafted with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanocages

Injectable catalyst-free "click" organic-inorganic nanohybrid (click-ON) cement for minimally invasive in vivo bone repair

Injectable polymers have attracted intensive attention in tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. Current injectable polymer systems often require free-radical or heavy-metal initiators and catalysts for the crosslinking process, which may be extremely toxic to the human body. Here, we report a novel polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) based strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) "click" organic-inorganic nanohybrids (click-ON) system that can be click-crosslinked without any toxic initiators or catalysts. The click-ON scaffolds supported excellent adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenesis of stem cells. In vivo evaluation using a rat cranial defect model showed outstanding bone formation with minimum cytotoxicity. Essential osteogenic alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and vascular CD31 marker expression were detected on the defect site, indicating excellent support of in vivo osteogenesis and vascularization. Using salt leaching techniques, an injectable porous click-ON cement was developed to create porous structures and support better in vivo bone regeneration. Beyond defect filling, the click-ON cement also showed promising application for spinal fusion using rabbits as a model. Compared to the current clinically used poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) cement, this click-ON cement showed great advantages of low heat generation, better biocompatibility and biodegradability, and thus has great potential for bone and related tissue engineering applications.

Black phosphorus incorporation modulates nanocomposite hydrogel properties and subsequent MC3T3 cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation

A promising strategy that emerged in tissue engineering is to incorporate two-dimensional (2D) materials into polymer scaffolds, producing materials with desirable mechanical properties and surface chemistries, which also display broad biocompatibility. Black phosphorus (BP) is a 2D material that has sparked recent scientific interest due to its unique structure and electrochemical characteristics. In this study, BP nanosheets (BPNSs) were incorporated into a cross-linkable oligo[poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate] (OPF) hydrogel to produce a new nanocomposite for bone regeneration. BPNSs exhibited a controllable degradation rate coupled with the release of phosphate in vitro. MTS assay results together with live/dead images confirmed that the introduction of BPNSs into OPF hydrogels enhanced MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation. Moreover, the morphology parameters indicated better attachments of cells in the BPNSs containing group. Immunofluorescence images as well as intercellular ALP and OCN activities showed that adding a certain amount of BPNSs to OPF hydrogel could greatly improve differentiation of pre-osteoblasts on the hydrogel. Additionally, embedding black phosphorous into a neutral polymer network helped to control its cytotoxicity, with optimal cell growth observed at BP concentrations as high as 500 ppm. These results reinforced that the supplementation of OPF with BPNSs can increase the osteogenic capacity of polymer scaffolds for use in bone tissue engineering.

3D-printed scaffolds with carbon nanotubes for bone tissue engineering: Fast and homogeneous one-step functionalization

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a promising technology for tissue engineering. However, 3D-printing methods are limited in their ability to produce desired microscale features or electrochemical properties in support of robust cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. This study addresses this deficiency by proposing an integrated, one-step, method to increase the cytocompatibility of 3D-printed scaffolds through functionalization leveraging conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs). To this end, CNTs were first sonicated with water-soluble single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) to generate a negatively charged ssDNA@CNT nano-complex. Concomitantly, 3D-printed poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) scaffolds were ammonolyzed to introduce free amine groups, which can take on a positive surface charge in water. The ssDNA@CNT nano-complex was then applied to 3D-printed scaffolds through a simple one-step coating utilizing electric-static force. This fast and facile functionalization step resulted in a homogenous and non-toxic coating of CNTs to the surface, which significantly improved the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of pre-osteoblast cells. In addition, the CNT based conductive coating layer enabled modulation of cell behavior through electrical stimuli (ES) leading to cellular proliferation and osteogenic gene marker expression, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN), and osteopontin (OPN). Collectively, these data provide the foundation for a one-step functionalization method for simple, fast, and effective functionalization of 3D printed scaffolds that support enhanced cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, especially when employed in conjunction with ES. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a promising technology for tissue engineering. However, 3D-printing methods have limited ability to produce desired features or electrochemical properties in support of robust cell behavior. To address this deficiency, the current study proposed an integrated, one-step method to increase the cytocompatibility of 3D-printed scaffolds through functionalization leveraging conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs). This fast and facile functionalization resulted in a homogenous and non-toxic coating of CNTs to the surface, which significantly improved the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of cells on the 3D-printed scaffolds.

Injectable Catalyst-Free Poly(Propylene Fumarate) System Cross-Linked by Strain Promoted Alkyne-Azide Cycloaddition Click Chemistry for Spine Defect Filling

A new PPF-BCN/hyPCL32-N3 injectable system that can be cross-linked by catalyst-free, strain promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) click chemistry was developed for tissue engineering applications. The system consisted of two components: PPF-BCN, poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) functionalized with (1R,8S,9s)-bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-yn-9-ylmethanol (BCN-OH), and hyPCL32-N3, a hyper-branched 32-arm poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) dendrimer functionalized with azide as the cross-linker core. Fast SPAAC click reaction allowed the desired gelation of the system without using any toxic initiator or catalyst. Compared to the conventional injectable formulation, e.g., poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), our PPF-BCN/hyPCL32-N3 (abbreviated as PFCL-Click) injectable system showed enhanced biocompatibility and low heat generation during cross-linking. After reaction, the cross-linked PFCL-Click scaffolds supported excellent proliferation and differentiation of preosteoblast cells on the surface. The PFCL-Click system can be successfully injected into vertebral bodies of rabbit spine and can be monitored by X-ray imaging after incorporating zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) powder. With these unique advantages, this injectable system has promising potential for bone defect repair and other tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.

Two-Dimensional Black Phosphorus and Graphene Oxide Nanosheets Synergistically Enhance Cell Proliferation and Osteogenesis on 3D Printed Scaffolds

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have emerged as a new promising research topic for tissue engineering because of their ability to alter the surface properties of tissue scaffolds and thus improve their biocompatibility and cell affinity. Multiple 2D materials, such as graphene and graphene oxide (GO), have been widely reported to enhance cell adhesion and proliferation. Recently, a newly emerged black phosphorus (BP) 2D material has attracted attention in biomedical applications because of its unique mechanical and electrochemical characteristics. In this study, we investigated the synergistic effect of these two types of 2D materials on cell osteogenesis for bone tissue engineering. BP was first wrapped in negatively charged GO nanosheets, which were then adsorbed together onto positively charged poly(propylene fumarate) three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds. The increased surface area provided by GO nanosheets would enhance cell attachment at the initial stage. In addition, slow oxidation of BP nanosheets wrapped within GO layers would generate a continuous release of phosphate, an important osteoblast differentiation facilitator designed to stimulate cell osteogenesis toward the new bone formation. Through the use of 3D confocal imaging, unique interactions between cells and BP nanosheets were observed, including a stretched cell shape and the development of filaments around the BP nanosheets, along with increased cell proliferation when compared with scaffolds incorporating only one of the 2D materials. Furthermore, the biomineralization of 3D scaffolds, as well as cellular osteogenic markers, was all measured and improved on scaffolds with both BP and GO nanosheets. All these results indicate that the incorporation of 2D BP and GO materials could effectively and synergistically stimulate cell proliferation and osteogenesis on 3D tissue scaffolds.

Rapid conjugation of nanoparticles, proteins and siRNAs to microbubbles by strain-promoted click chemistry for ultrasound imaging and drug delivery

Strain-promoted alkyne–azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) click chemistry was applied for the rapid conjugation of nanoparticles, proteins, and siRNA-micelles to ultrasound microbubbles.

Synthesis and in Vitro Cytocompatibility of Segmented Poly(Ester-Urethane)s and Poly(Ester-Urea-Urethane)s for Bone Tissue Engineering

Two series of segmented polyurethanes were obtained and their mechanical and thermal properties as well as their biodegradability and cytotoxicity were evaluated. The chemical nature of the polyurethanes was varied by using either 1,4 butanediol (poly-ester-urethanes, PEUs) or l-lysine ethyl ester dihydrochloride (poly-ester-urea-urethanes, PEUUs) as chain extenders. Results showed that varying the hard segment influenced the thermal and mechanical properties of the obtained polymers. PEUs showed strain and hardness values of about 10⁻20 MPa and 10⁻65 MPa, respectively. These values were higher than the obtained values for the PEUUs due to the phase segregation and the higher crystallinity observed for the polyester-urethanes (PEUs); phase segregation was also observed and analyzed by XRD and DSC. Moreover, both series of polymers showed hydrolytic degradation when they were submerged in PBS until 90 days with 20% of weight loss. In vitro tests using a Human Osteoblastic cell line (Hob) showed an average of 80% of cell viability and good adhesion for both series of polymers.

Solvent-free and biocompatible multiphased organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites

Biocompatible chemically cross-linked organic-inorganic (O-I) hybrid nanocomposites were developed using a new atoxic, simple and fast, solvent-free pathway. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), which are both biocompatible, were used as the organic moieties (at different PCL/PEG ratios), while in situ synthesized polysilsesquioxanes made up the inorganic moiety. The O-I hybrid nanocomposites' molecular structures were characterized using solid-state ²⁹Si NMR, TGA and ATR-IR. Results showed an unusually high condensation yield of approximately 90% and two distinct silsesquioxane structures. No traces of the remaining isocyanate groups were found. Advanced morphological characterization of the ternary O-I hybrids was performed using a combination of electron microscopy and X-ray scattering techniques such as SEM, TEM, ESI-TEM, WAXS and temperature-dependent SAXS. Results showed the occurrence of spherical nanoparticles, associated with polysilsesquioxane, and ordered network grains, associated with PCL and/or PEG chains cross-linked by silsesquioxane cages. As a consequence, a four-phased nanostructured morphology was proposed. In this model, PCL and PEG are undistinguishable, while polysilsesquioxane nanoparticles are uniformly distributed throughout a homogeneous cross-linked matrix, which shows gel-like behavior. Moreover, a mobile phase made up of unbound polymer chains occurs at the grain interface.

Selected developments and medical applications of organic-inorganic hybrid biomaterials based on functionalized spherosilicates

Well-defined and tailor-made spherosilicates and POSS-based (POSS = Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes) (nano)composites with interesting chemical and mechanical properties have applications in the widely-regarded field of innovative biomaterials. They can serve as delivery systems, three-dimensional scaffolds for specific tissue engineering, biomaterials for orthopedic, cardiovascular, and reconstructive surgery, etc. Such organic-inorganic hybrids are much more effective biomaterials than pure polymers, bioglasses, metals, alloys, and ceramics currently used in medical applications and are considered as next-generation systems in innovative medical approaches. This range of applications creates a strong impetus for novel, cheap, and easy-to-scale-up methods for their synthesis. In this review (highlights since 2006), selected biomaterials consisting of various polymeric derivatives such as polymethacrylates, polylactides, polycaprolactones, polyurethanes, etc., which serve as organic side-arms of POSS and can create polymer platforms for precisely localized spherosilicates among organic matrices, are discussed as a new generation of silicon-based biosystems using spherosilicates, promising biomaterials with a particular use in soft- and hard-tissue engineering.

Cross-linkable graphene oxide embedded nanocomposite hydrogel with enhanced mechanics and cytocompatibility for tissue engineering

Graphene oxide (GO) is an attractive material that can be utilized to enhance the modulus and conductivities of substrates and hydrogels. To covalently cross-link graphene oxide sheets into hydrogels, abundant cross-linkable double bonds were introduced to synthesize the graphene-oxide-tris-acrylate sheet (GO-TrisA). Polyacrylamide (PAM) nanocomposite hydrogels were then fabricated with inherent covalently and permanently cross-linked GO-TrisA sheets. Results showed that the covalently cross-linked GO-TrisA/PAM nanocomposite hydrogel had enhanced mechanical strength, thermo stability compared with GO/PAM hydrogel maintained mainly by hydrogen bonding between PAM chains and GO sheets. In vitro cell study showed that the covalently cross-linked rGO-TrisA/PAM nanocomposite hydrogel had excellent cytocompatibility after in situ reduction. These results suggest that rGO-TrisA/PAM nanocomposite hydrogel holds great potential for tissue engineering applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1247-1257, 2018.

Electrically conductive nanocomposite hydrogels embedded with functionalized carbon nanotubes for spinal cord injury

Electrically conductive hydrogels incorporated with CNTs support PC12 cell growth and differentiation and hold promise for nerve regeneration.

Functionalized Carbon Nanotube and Graphene Oxide Embedded Electrically Conductive Hydrogel Synergistically Stimulates Nerve Cell Differentiation

Nerve regeneration after injury is a critical medical issue. In previous work, we have developed an oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate) (OPF) hydrogel incorporated with positive charges as a promising nerve conduit. In this study, we introduced cross-linkable bonds to graphene oxide and carbon nanotube to obtain the functionalized graphene oxide acrylate (GOa) and carbon nanotube poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate (CNTpega). An electrically conductive hydrogel was then fabricated by covalently embedding GOa and CNTpega within OPF hydrogel through chemical cross-linking followed by in situ reduction of GOa in l-ascorbic acid solution. Positive charges were incorporated by 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyltrimethylammonium chloride (MTAC) to obtain rGOaCNTpega-OPF-MTAC composite hydrogel with both surface charge and electrical conductivity. The distribution of CNTpega and GOa in the hydrogels was substantiated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and strengthened electrical conductivities were determined. Excellent biocompatibility was demonstrated for the carbon embedded composite hydrogels. Biological evaluation showed enhanced proliferation and spreading of PC12 cells on the conductive hydrogels. After induced differentiation using nerve growth factor (NGF), cells on the conductive hydrogels were effectively stimulated to have robust neurite development as observed by confocal microscope. A synergistic effect of electrical conductivity and positive charges on nerve cells was also observed in this study. Using a glass mold method, the composite hydrogel was successfully fabricated into conductive nerve conduits with surficial positive charges. These results suggest that rGOa-CNTpega-OPF-MTAC composite hydrogel holds great potential as conduits for neural tissue engineering.

A New Vertebral Body Replacement Strategy Using Expandable Polymeric Cages

We have developed a novel polymeric expandable cage that can be delivered via a posterior-only surgical approach for the treatment of noncontained vertebral defects. This approach is less invasive than an anterior-only or combined approach and much more cost-effective than currently used expandable metal cages. The polymeric expandable cage is composed of oligo poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate (OPF), a hydrogel that has been previously shown to have excellent nerve and bone tissue biocompatibility. OPF hydrogel cages can expand to twice their original diameter and length within a surgical time frame following hydration. Modulation of parameters such as polymeric network crosslink density or the introduction of charge to the network allowed for precise expansion kinetics. To meet specific requirements due to size variations in patient vertebral bodies, we fabricated a series of molds with varied diameters and explored the expansion kinetics of the OPF cages. Results showed a stable expansion ratio of approximately twofold to the original size within 20 min, regardless of the absolute value of the cage size. Following implantation of a dried OPF cage into a noncontained vertebral defect and its in situ expansion with normal saline, other augmentation biomaterials, such as poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF), can be injected to the lumen of the OPF cage and allowed to crosslink in situ. The OPF/PPF composite scaffold can provide the necessary rigidity and stability to the augmented spine.

Poly(ε-caprolactone) Dendrimer Cross-Linked via Metal-Free Click Chemistry: Injectable Hydrophobic Platform for Tissue Engineering

The fabrication of injectable self-cross-linkable hyperbranched poly(ε-caprolactone) (hyPCL) formulation using metal-free click chemistry was reported. The cross-linking between hyPCL32-(1R,8S,9s)-bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-yn-9-ylmethanol (hyPCL32-BCN) and hyPCL32-azide (hyPCL32-N₃) components was proceeded via strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) click reaction. Cross-linking was tested to proceed effectively with the exclusion of any toxic cross-linking agents. Strong mechanical properties and excellent biocompatibility were demonstrated for the cross-linked substrates. These newly synthesized dendrimers may have broad applications in tissue engineering such as bone defect repair. In addition, the introduction of metal-free click chemistry to hydrophobic polymers provides an attractive new strategy for developing injectable stiff polymer formulations besides hydrogels for biomedical applications.

Aging behavior of the silicone dielectric elastomers in a simulated marine environment

A series of silicone–barium titanate composites, designed as dielectric elastomer films to be used as active elements in wave energy conversion devices, were immersed in artificial sea water in pseudo-dynamic conditions to asses their aging behavior.

Tunable tissue scaffolds fabricated by in situ crosslink in phase separation system

Three-dimensional (3-D) scaffolds with intrinsic porous structures are desirable in various tissue regeneration applications. In this study, a unique method that combines thermally induced phase separation with a photocrosslinking process was developed for the fabrication of 3-D crosslinked polymer scaffolds with densely interconnected porous structures. Biodegradable poly(propylene fumarate)-co-poly(L-lactic acid) with crosslinkable fumarate bonds were used as the structural polymer material and a dioxane/water binary system was applied for the phase separation. By altering the polymer composition (9, 5 and 3 wt%), different types of scaffolds with distinct morphology, mechanical strength, degradation rate, cell growth and morphology, and extracellular matrix production were fabricated. These crosslinked 3-D porous scaffolds with tunable strength and biological responses show promise for potential applications in regenerative therapies, including bone and neural tissue engineering.

Hydrolysable core crosslinked particle for receptor-mediated pH-sensitive anticancer drug delivery

Biodegradable micelle systems with both extracellular stabilities and specific targeting properties are highly desirable for anti-cancer drug delivery. Here, we report a biodegradable and crosslinkable poly(propylene fumarate)-co-poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-co-poly(ethylene glycol) (PPF-PLGA-PEG) copolymer conjugated with folate (FA) molecules for receptor-mediated delivery of doxorubicin. Micelles with folate ligands on surface and fumarate bonds within the core were self-assembled and crosslinked, which exhibited better stability against potential physiological conditions during and after drug administration. A pH sensitive drug release profile was observed showing robust release at acidic environment due to the ester hydrolysis of PLGA (50:50). Further, micelles with folate ligands on surface showed strong targeting ability and therapeutic efficacy through receptor-mediated endocytosis, as evidenced by efficacious cancer killing and fatal DNA damage. These results imply promising potential for ligand-conjugated core crosslinked PPF-PLGA-PEG-FA micelles as carrier system for targeted anti-cancer drug delivery.

Biodegradable and crosslinkable PPF-PLGA-PEG self-assembled nanoparticles dual-decorated with folic acid ligands and rhodamine B fluorescent probes for targeted cancer imaging

Novel biodegradable and crosslinkable copolymers of hydrophobic poly(propylene fumarate)-co-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PPF-PLGA) linked with hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), namely PPF-PLGA-PEG, were developed and fabricated into core-shell nanoparticles through self-assembly and photocrosslinking. A fluorescent probe, rhodamine B (RhB), was conjugated to the end of the copolymer chain (PPF-PLGA-PEG-RhB), which allows tracking of the nanoparticles through visualizing the fluorescence probe. Folic acid (FA) ligand was conjugated to another series of chains (PPF-PLGA-PEG-FA) for targeted delivery of the nanoparticles to the tumor sites by binding to the ubiquitously overexpressed FA receptors on tumor cells. Our results showed that PPF-PLGA-PEG nanoparticles incorporated with RhB fluorescence probes and FA tumor binding ligands have specific cancer cell targeting and imaging abilities. These crosslinkable nanoparticles are potentially useful to serve as a platform for conjugation of fluorescence probes as well as various antibodies and peptides for cancer targeted imaging or drug delivery.

Novel biodegradable poly(propylene fumarate)-co-poly(l-lactic acid) porous scaffolds fabricated by phase separation for tissue engineering applications

Scaffolds with intrinsically interconnected porous structures are highly desirable in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this study, three-dimensional polymer scaffolds with highly interconnected porous structures were fabricated by thermally induced phase separation of novel synthesized biodegradable poly(propylene fumarate)-co-poly(l-lactic acid) in a dioxane/water binary system. Defined porous scaffolds were achieved by optimizing conditions to attain interconnected porous structures. The effect of phase separation parameters on scaffold morphology were investigated, including polymer concentration (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9%), quench time (1, 4, and 8 min), dioxane/water ratio (83/17, 85/15, and 87/13 wt/wt), and freeze temperature (-20, -80, and -196 °C). Interesting pore morphologies were created by adjusting these processing parameters, e.g., flower-shaped (5%; 85/15; 1 min; -80 °C), spherulite-like (5%; 85/15; 8 min; -80 °C), and bead-like (5%; 87/13; 1 min; -80 °C) morphology. Modulation of phase separation conditions also resulted in remarkable differences in scaffold porosities (81% to 91%) and thermal properties. Furthermore, scaffolds with varied mechanic strengths, degradation rates, and protein adsorption capabilities could be fabricated using the phase separation method. In summary, this work provides an effective route to generate multi-dimensional porous scaffolds that can be applied to a variety of hydrophobic polymers and copolymers. The generated scaffolds could potentially be useful for various tissue engineering applications including bone tissue engineering.