Potential of hydrogels based on poly(ethylene glycol) and sebacic acid as orthopedic tissue engineering scaffolds

Additive Manufacturing and Physicomechanical Characteristics of PEGDA Hydrogels: Recent Advances and Perspective for Tissue Engineering

In this brief review, we discuss the recent advancements in using poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels for tissue engineering applications. PEGDA hydrogels are highly attractive in biomedical and biotechnology fields due to their soft and hydrated properties that can replicate living tissues. These hydrogels can be manipulated using light, heat, and cross-linkers to achieve desirable functionalities. Unlike previous reviews that focused solely on material design and fabrication of bioactive hydrogels and their cell viability and interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM), we compare the traditional bulk photo-crosslinking method with the latest three-dimensional (3D) printing of PEGDA hydrogels. We present detailed evidence combining the physical, chemical, bulk, and localized mechanical characteristics, including their composition, fabrication methods, experimental conditions, and reported mechanical properties of bulk and 3D printed PEGDA hydrogels. Furthermore, we highlight the current state of biomedical applications of 3D PEGDA hydrogels in tissue engineering and organ-on-chip devices over the last 20 years. Finally, we delve into the current obstacles and future possibilities in the field of engineering 3D layer-by-layer (LbL) PEGDA hydrogels for tissue engineering and organ-on-chip devices.

Peptide-induced RAFT polymerization via an amyloid-β17-20-based chain transfer agent

We here describe the synthesis of a novel peptide/polymer-conjugate, embedding the amyloid-β (Aβ) protein core sequence Leu-Val-Phe-Phe (LVFF, Aβ17-20) via RAFT polymerization. Based on a novel chain transfer-agent, the "grafting-from" approach effectively generates the well-defined peptide-polymer conjugates with appreciably high monomer conversion rate, resulting in mechanically stiffer peptide-functional cross-linked polymeric hydrogels.

A canine in vitro model for evaluation of marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cell-based bone scaffolds

Tissue engineered bone grafts based on bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are being actively developed for craniomaxillofacial (CMF) applications. As for all tissue engineered implants, the bone-regenerating capacity of these MSC-based grafts must first be evaluated in animal models prior to human trials. Canine models have traditionally resulted in improved clinical translation of CMF grafts relative to other animal models. However, the utility of canine CMF models for evaluating MSC-based bone grafts rests on canine MSCs (cMSCs) responding in a similar manner to scaffold-based stimuli as human MSCs (hMSCs). Herein, cMSC and hMSC responses to polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based scaffolds were therefore compared in the presence or absence of osteoinductive polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Notably, the conjugation of PDMS to PEG-based constructs resulted in increases in both cMSC and hMSC osteopontin and calcium deposition. Based on these results, cMSCs were further used to assess the efficacy of tethered bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2) in enhancing PEG-PDMS scaffold osteoinductivity. Addition of low doses of tethered BMP2 (100 ng/mL) to PEG-PDMS systems increased cMSC expression of osterix and osteopontin compared to both PEG-PDMS and PEG-BMP2 controls. Furthermore, these increases were comparable to effects seen with up to five-times higher BMP2 doses noted in literature. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A:2382-2393, 2018.

In situ crosslinkable elastomeric hydrogel for long-term cell encapsulation for cardiac applications

The regenerative therapy of tissues relays on successful cell transplantation and engraftment. Soft hydrogel carriers are employed to protect transplanted cells from harmful microenvironment in soft tissue regeneration. Herein an injectable, porous, biodegradable, bioresorbable, and elastomeric hydrogel fabricated from poly(propylene fumarate-co-sebacate-co-ethylene glycol) crosslinked with PEGDA for cardiomyoblast encapsulation was reported. The hydrogel retains adequate mechanical property in the range of native myocardium even after 30 days of degradation (49 ± 0.008 kPa). The hydrogel shows maximum extensibility without collapsing even under 60% compression. The hydrogel retains 70.58% equilibrium water content, wide internal porosity, and slow bulk degradation favorable for cell carriers. The cardiomyoblast cells encapsulated in hydrogel retains viability even after 30 days of culture. The long-term viability and proliferation studies of encapsulated cells in the hydrogel substantiate the suitability of hydrogel microenvironment for cell survival. The present hydrogel is a potential cell carrier with favorable physical and biological properties for cell encapsulation for cardiac applications. The candidate hydrogels perform better than the other reported elastomeric hydrogels fabricated for cell therapy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 2936-2944, 2016.

Osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells promotes mineralization within a biodegradable peptide hydrogel

An attractive strategy for the regeneration of tissues has been the use of extracellular matrix analogous biomaterials. Peptide-based fibrillar hydrogels have been shown to mimic the structure of extracellular matrix offering cells a niche to undertake their physiological functions. In this study, the capability of an ionic-complementary peptide FEFEFKFK (F, E, and K are phenylalanine, glutamic acid, and lysine, respectively) hydrogel to host human mesenchymal stem cells in three dimensions and induce their osteogenic differentiation is demonstrated. Assays showed sustained cell viability and proliferation throughout the hydrogel over 12 days of culture and these human mesenchymal stem cells differentiated into osteoblasts simply upon addition of osteogenic stimulation. Differentiated osteoblasts synthesized key bone proteins, including collagen-1 (Col-1), osteocalcin, and alkaline phosphatase. Moreover, mineralization occurred within the hydrogel. The peptide hydrogel is a naturally biodegradable material as shown by oscillatory rheology and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, where both viscoelastic properties and the degradation of the hydrogel were monitored over time, respectively. These findings demonstrate that a biodegradable octapeptide hydrogel can host and induce the differentiation of stem cells and has the potential for the regeneration of hard tissues such as alveolar bone.

Strong poly(ethylene oxide) based gel adhesives via oxime cross-linking

There is a demand for materials to replace or augment the use of sutures and staples in surgical procedures. Currently available commercial surgical adhesives provide either high bond strength with biological toxicity or polymer and protein-based products that are biologically acceptable (though with potential sensitizing potential) but have much reduced bond strength. It is desirable to provide novel biocompatible and biodegradable surgical adhesives/sealants capable of high strength with minimal immune or inflammatory response. In this work, we report the end group derivatization of 8-arm star PEOs with aldehyde and amine end groups. Gels were prepared employing the Schiff-base chemistry between the aldehydes and the amines. Gel setting times, swelling behavior and rheological characterization were carried out for these gels. The mechanical-viscoelastic properties were found to be directly proportional to the crosslinking density of the gels, the 10K PEO gel was stiffer in comparison to the 20K PEO gel. The adhesive properties of these gels were tested using porcine skin and showed excellent adhesion properties. Cytotoxicity studies were carried out for the individual gel components using two different methods: (a) Crystal Violet Staining assay (CVS assay) and (b) impedance and cell index measurement by the xCELLigence system at concentrations >5%. Gels prepared by mixing 20% w/w solutions were also tested for cytotoxicity. The results revealed that the individual gel components as well as the prepared gels and their leachables were non-cytotoxic at these concentrations.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

This work presents a new type of glue that is aimed at surgery applications using a water soluble star shaped polymer. It show excellent adhesion to skin and is tough and easy to use. We show that it is very biocompatible based on tests on live human cells, and could therefore in principle be used for internal surgery. Comparison with other reported and commercial glues shows that it is stronger than most, and does not swell in water to the same degree as many other water based bioadhesives.

Improved intervention of atherosclerosis and cardiac hypertrophy through biodegradable polymer-encapsulated delivery of glycosphingolipid inhibitor

D-Threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (D-PDMP), a glycosphingolipid synthesis inhibitor, holds promise for the treatment of atherosclerosis and cardiac hypertrophy but rapid in vivo clearance has severely hindered translation to the clinic. To overcome this impediment, we used a materials-based delivery strategy wherein D-PDMP was encapsulated within a biodegradable polymer composed of poly ethylene glycol (PEG) and sebacic acid (SA). PEG-SA was formulated into nanoparticles that were doped with (125)I-labeled PEG to allow in vivo bio-distribution and release kinetics of D-PDMP to be determined by using γ-scintigraphy and subsequently, by mass spectrometry. Polymer-encapsulation increased the residence time of D-PDMP in the body of a treated mouse from less than one hour to at least four hours (and up to 48 h or longer). This substantially increased in vivo longevity provided by polymer encapsulation resulted in an order of magnitude gain in efficacy for interfering with atherosclerosis and cardiac hypertrophy in apoE-/- mice fed a high fat and high cholesterol (HFHC) diet. These results establish that D-PDMP encapsulated in a biodegradable polymer provides a superior mode of delivery compared to unconjugated D-PDMP by way of increased gastrointestinal absorption and increased residence time thus providing this otherwise rapidly cleared compound with therapeutic relevance in interfering with atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy, and probably other diseases associated with the deleterious effects of abnormally high glycosphingolipid biosynthesis or deficient catabolism.

Hybrid collagen-based hydrogels with embedded montmorillonite nanoparticles

Montmorillonite nanoparticles have been physically incorporated within a crosslinked collagen/poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) network in order to adjust the properties of the stimuli-responsive hybrid systems. The research underlines both the influence of hydrogel composition and nanoparticle type on hybrid hydrogel properties. The dispersion of the montmorillonite nanoparticles in polymeric matrix have been visualized by SEM, TEM and AFM techniques and quantitatively and qualitatively estimated using near infrared chemical imaging. The electrical charge of the nanoparticles influenced the polymeric chain arrangement and the pore size. The morphologies of the nanoparticulated layers are partially exfoliated or intercalated and uniformly dispersed through the polymeric semi-interpenetrated network based on collagen and poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide). The hybrid hydrogels exhibit pseudoplastic behavior and the addition of nanoparticles has resulted in the increase of the complex viscosity. The adhesion capacity was affected mainly by the presence of organically modified montmorillonites.

Next-generation resorbable polymer scaffolds with surface-precipitated calcium phosphate coatings

Next-generation synthetic bone graft therapies will most likely be composed of resorbable polymers in combination with bioactive components. In this article, we continue our exploration of E1001(1k), a tyrosine-derived polycarbonate, as an orthopedic implant material. Specifically, we use E1001(1k), which is degradable, nontoxic, and osteoconductive, to fabricate porous bone regeneration scaffolds that were enhanced by two different types of calcium phosphate (CP) coatings: in one case, pure dicalcium phosphate dihydrate was precipitated on the scaffold surface and throughout its porous structure (E1001(1k) + CP). In the other case, bone matrix minerals (BMM) such as zinc, manganese and fluoride were co-precipitated within the dicalcium phosphate dihydrate coating (E1001(1k) + BMM). These scaffold compositions were compared against each other and against ChronOS (Synthes USA, West Chester, PA, USA), a clinically used bone graft substitute (BGS), which served as the positive control in our experimental design. This BGS is composed of poly(lactide co-ε-caprolactone) and beta-tricalcium phosphate. We used the established rabbit calvaria critical-sized defect model to determine bone regeneration within the defect for each of the three scaffold compositions. New bone formation was determined after 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks by micro-computerized tomography (μCT) and histology. The experimental tyrosine-derived polycarbonate, enhanced with dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, E1001(1k) + CP, supported significant bone formation within the defects and was superior to the same scaffold containing a mix of BMM, E1001(1k) + BMM. The comparison with the commercially available BGS was complicated by the large variability in bone formation observed for the laboratory preparations of E1001(1k) scaffolds. At all time points, there was a trend for E1001(1k) + CP to be superior to the commercial BGS. However, only at the 6-week time point did this trend reach statistical significance. Detailed analysis of the μCT data suggested an increase in bone formation from 2 through 12 weeks in implant sites treated with E1001(1k) + CP. At 2 and 4 weeks post-implantation, bone formation occurred at the interface where the E1001(1k) + CP scaffold was in contact with the bone borders of the implant site. Thereafter, during weeks 6, 8 and 12 bone formation progressed throughout the E1001(1k) + CP test implants. This trend was not observed with E1001(1k) + BMM scaffolds or the clinically used BGS. Our results suggest that E1001(1k) + CP should be tested further for osteoregenerative applications.

Hybrid amphiphilic bimodal hydrogels having mechanical and biological recognition characteristics for cardiac tissue engineering

Tissue engineering strategies rely on the favourable microniche scaffolds for 3D cell growth.

Drying and storage effects on poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel mechanical properties and bioactivity

Hydrogels based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are increasingly used in biomedical applications because of their ability to control cell-material interactions by tuning hydrogel physical and biological properties. Evaluation of stability after drying and storage are critical in creating an off-the-shelf biomaterial that functions in vivo according to original specifications. However, there has not been a study that systematically investigates the effects of different drying conditions on hydrogel compositional variables. In the first part of this study, PEG-diacrylate hydrogels underwent common processing procedures (vacuum-drying, lyophilizing, hydrating then vacuum-drying), and the effect of this processing on the mechanical properties and swelling ratios was measured. Significant changes in compressive modulus, tensile modulus, and swelling ratio only occurred for select processed hydrogels. No consistent trends were observed after processing for any of the formulations tested. The effect of storage conditions on cell adhesion and spreading on collagen- and streptococcal collagen-like protein (Scl2-2)-PEG-diacrylamide hydrogels was then evaluated to characterize bioactivity retention after storage. Dry storage conditions preserved bioactivity after 6 weeks of storage; whereas, storage in PBS significantly reduced bioactivity. This loss of bioactivity was attributed to ester hydrolysis of the protein linker, acrylate-PEG-N-hydroxysuccinimide. These studies demonstrate that these processing methods and dry storage conditions may be used to prepare bioactive PEG hydrogel scaffolds with recoverable functionality after storage.

Designing degradable hydrogels for orthogonal control of cell microenvironments

Degradable and cell-compatible hydrogels can be designed to mimic the physical and biochemical characteristics of native extracellular matrices and provide tunability of degradation rates and related properties under physiological conditions. Hence, such hydrogels are finding widespread application in many bioengineering fields, including controlled bioactive molecule delivery, cell encapsulation for controlled three-dimensional culture, and tissue engineering. Cellular processes, such as adhesion, proliferation, spreading, migration, and differentiation, can be controlled within degradable, cell-compatible hydrogels with temporal tuning of biochemical or biophysical cues, such as growth factor presentation or hydrogel stiffness. However, thoughtful selection of hydrogel base materials, formation chemistries, and degradable moieties is necessary to achieve the appropriate level of property control and desired cellular response. In this review, hydrogel design considerations and materials for hydrogel preparation, ranging from natural polymers to synthetic polymers, are overviewed. Recent advances in chemical and physical methods to crosslink hydrogels are highlighted, as well as recent developments in controlling hydrogel degradation rates and modes of degradation. Special attention is given to spatial or temporal presentation of various biochemical and biophysical cues to modulate cell response in static (i.e., non-degradable) or dynamic (i.e., degradable) microenvironments. This review provides insight into the design of new cell-compatible, degradable hydrogels to understand and modulate cellular processes for various biomedical applications.

Evaluation of multifunctional polysaccharide hydrogels with varying stiffness for bone tissue engineering

The use of hydrogels for bone regeneration has been limited due to their inherent low modulus to support cell adhesion and proliferation as well as their susceptibility to bacterial infections at the wound site. To overcome these limitations, we evaluated multifunctional polysaccharide hydrogels of varying stiffness to obtain the optimum stiffness at which the gels (1) induce proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts, human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs), and murine preosteoblasts (MC3T3-E1), (2) induce osteoblast differentiation and mineralization, and (3) exhibit an antibacterial activity. Rheological studies demonstrated that the stiffness of hydrogels made of a polysaccharide blend of methylcellulose, chitosan, and agarose was increased by crosslinking the chitosan component to different extents with increasing amounts of genipin. The gelation time decreased (from 210 to 60 min) with increasing genipin concentrations. Proliferation of HUVECs decreased by 10.7 times with increasing gel stiffness, in contrast to fibroblasts and osteoblasts, where it increased with gel stiffness by 6.37 and 7.8 times, respectively. At day 14 up to day 24, osteoblast expression of differentiation markers-osteocalcin, osteopontin-and early mineralization marker-alkaline phosphatase, were significantly enhanced in the 0.5% (w/v) crosslinked gel, which also demonstrated enhanced mineralization by day 25. The antibacterial efficacy of the hydrogels decreased with the increasing degree of crosslinking as demonstrated by biofilm formation experiments, but gels crosslinked with 0.5% (w/v) genipin still demonstrated significant bacterial inhibition. Based on these results, gels crosslinked with 0.5% (w/v) genipin, where 33% of available groups on chitosan were crosslinked, exhibited a stiffness of 502±64.5 Pa and demonstrated the optimal characteristics to support bone regeneration.

Investigation of potential injectable polymeric biomaterials for bone regeneration

This article reviews the potential injectable polymeric biomaterial scaffolds currently being investigated for application in bone tissue regeneration. Two types of injectable biomaterial scaffolds are focused in this review, including injectable microspheres and injectable gels. The injectable microspheres section covers several polymeric materials, including poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide)-PLGA, poly(propylene fumarate), and chitosan. The injectable gel section covers alginate gels, hyaluronan hydrogels, poly(ethylene-glycol)-PEG hydrogels, and PEG-PLGA copolymer hydrogels. This review focuses on the effect of cellular behavior in vitro and in vivo in terms of material properties of polymers, such as biodegradation, biocompatibility, porosity, microsphere size, and cross-linking nature. Injectable polymeric biomaterials offer a major advantage for orthopedic applications by allowing the ability to use noninvasive or minimally invasive treatment methods. Therefore, combining injectable polymeric biomaterial scaffolds with cells have a significant potential to treat orthopedic bone defects, including spine fusion, and craniofacial and periodontal defects.

β-Defensin-4 (HBD-4) is expressed in chondrocytes derived from normal and osteoarthritic cartilage encapsulated in PEGDA scaffold

Defensins are antibiotic peptides involved in host defense mechanisms, wound healing and tissue repair. Furthermore, they seem to play an important role in protection mechanisms in articular joints. The aim of this study was to investigate β-defensin-4 expression in chondrocytes taken from articular cartilage of knees of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) compared to normal cartilage, in vivo in explanted tissue, and in vitro in chondrocytes encapsulated in construct PEGDA hydrogels. The present investigation was conducted to try and elucidate the possible use of β-defensin-4 as a relevant marker for the eventual use of successive scaffold allografts, and to provide new insights for hydrogel PEGDA scaffold efficacy in re-differentiation or repair of OA chondrocytes in vitro. Articular cartilage specimens from OA cartilage and normal cartilage were assessed by histology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The results showed strong β-defensin-4 immunoexpression in explanted tissue from OA cartilage and weak β-defensin-4 expression in control cartilage. The chondrocytes from OA cartilage after 4 weeks of culture in PEGDA hydrogels showed the formation of new hyaline cartilage and a decreased expression of β-defensin-4 immunostaining comparable to that of control cartilage. Our results suggest the possibility of applying autologous cell transplantation in conjunction with scaffold materials for repair of cartilage lesions in patients with OA using β-defensin-4 as a relevant marker.

Relative survivability of human osteoblasts is enhanced by 39 °C and ascorbic acid after exposure to photopolymerization ingredients

Photopolymerizable hydrogels offer great potential in cartilage tissue engineering due to their ability to conform to irregular defect shapes and be applied in a potentially minimally invasive manner. An important process requirement in the use of photopolymerizable hydrogels is the ability of the suspended cells to withstand low intensity ultraviolet light (UV) exposure (4-5 mW/cm(2)) and photoinitiator concentrations. For cartilage integration with underlying subchondral bone tissue, robust localized osteoblast activity is necessary. Yet, while it is known that osteoblasts do not respond well to UV light, limited work has been conducted to improve their survivability. In this study, we evaluated the cellular cytotoxicity of five different human cell sources at different UV exposure times, with and without a commercially used photoinitiator. We were able to confirm that human osteoblasts were the least tolerant to varying UV exposure times in comparison to bone marrow stem cell, periodontal ligament cell, smooth muscle and endothelial cell lineages. Moreover osteoblasts cultured at 39 °C did not deteriorate in terms of alkaline phosphatase expression or calcium deposition within the extracellular matrix (ECM), but did reduce cell proliferation. We believe however that the lower proliferation diminished osteoblast sensitivity to UV and the photoinitiator. In fact, the relative survivability of osteoblasts was found to be augmented by the combination of a biochemical factor and an elevated incubation temperature; specifically, the use of 50 mg/l of the anti-oxidant, ascorbic acid significantly (P < 0.05) increased the survivability of osteoblasts when cultured at 39 °C. We conclude that ascorbic acid at an incubation temperature of 39 °C can be included in in vitro protocols used to assess cartilage integration with bone ECM. Such inclusion will enhance conditions of the engineered tissue model system in recapitulating in vivo osteoblast activity.

Growth factor delivery: how surface interactions modulate release in vitro and in vivo

Biomaterial scaffolds have been extensively used to deliver growth factors to induce new bone formation. The pharmacokinetics of growth factor delivery has been a critical regulator of their clinical success. This review will focus on the surface interactions that control the non-covalent incorporation of growth factors into scaffolds and the mechanisms that control growth factor release from clinically relevant biomaterials. We will focus on the delivery of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 from materials currently used in the clinical practice, but also suggest how general mechanisms that control growth factor incorporation and release delineated with this growth factor could extend to other systems. A better understanding of the changing mechanisms that control growth factor release during the different stages of preclinical development could instruct the development of future scaffolds for currently untreatable injuries and diseases.

Strategies for controlled delivery of growth factors and cells for bone regeneration

The controlled delivery of growth factors and cells within biomaterial carriers can enhance and accelerate functional bone formation. The carrier system can be designed with pre-programmed release kinetics to deliver bioactive molecules in a localized, spatiotemporal manner most similar to the natural wound healing process. The carrier can also act as an extracellular matrix-mimicking substrate for promoting osteoprogenitor cellular infiltration and proliferation for integrative tissue repair. This review discusses the role of various regenerative factors involved in bone healing and their appropriate combinations with different delivery systems for augmenting bone regeneration. The general requirements of protein, cell and gene therapy are described, with elaboration on how the selection of materials, configurations and processing affects growth factor and cell delivery and regenerative efficacy in both in vitro and in vivo applications for bone tissue engineering.

Effects of molecular weight and loading on matrix metalloproteinase-2 mediated release from poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate hydrogels

Herein, we report on continued efforts to understand an implantable poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel drug delivery system that responds to extracellular enzymes, in particular matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) to provide controlled drug delivery. By attaching peptide as pendant groups on the hydrogel backbone, drug release occurs at an accelerated rate in the presence of active protease. We investigated MMP-2 entry and optimized parameters of the drug delivery system. Mesh size for different PEGDA molecular weight macromers was measured with PEGDA 3,400 hydrogels having a mesh size smaller than the dimensions of MMP-2 and PEGDA 10,000 and PEGDA 20,000 hydrogels having mesh sizes larger than MMP-2. Purified MMP-2 increased release of peptide fragment compared to buffer at several loading concentrations. Cell-stimulated release was demonstrated using U-87 MG cells embedded in collagen. GM6001, an MMP inhibitor, diminished release and altered the identity of the released peptide fragment. The increase in ratio of release from PEGDA 10,000 and PEGDA 20,000 hydrogels compared to PEGDA 3,400 hydrogels suggests MMP-2 enters the hydrogel. PEGDA molecular weight of 10,000 and 15 % (w/V) were the optimal conditions for release and handling. The use of protease-triggered drug delivery has great advantage particularly with the control of protease penetration as a parameter for controlling rate of release.

Biphasic peptide amphiphile nanomatrix embedded with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles for stimulated osteoinductive response

Formation of the native bone extracellular matrix (ECM) provides an attractive template for bone tissue engineering. The structural support and biological complexity of bone ECM are provided within a composite microenvironment that consists of an organic fibrous network reinforced by inorganic hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles. Recreating this biphasic assembly, a bone ECM analogous scaffold comprising self-assembling peptide amphiphile (PA) nanofibers and interspersed HA nanoparticles was investigated. PAs were endowed with biomolecular ligand signaling using a synthetically inscribed peptide sequence (i.e., RGDS) and integrated with HA nanoparticles to form a biphasic nanomatrix hydrogel. It was hypothesized the biphasic hydrogel would induce osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and improve bone healing as mediated by RGDS ligand signaling within PA nanofibers and embedded HA mineralization source. Viscoelastic stability of the biphasic PA hydrogels was evaluated with different weight concentrations of HA for improved gelation. After demonstrating initial viability, long-term cellularity and osteoinduction of encapsulated hMSCs in different PA hydrogels were studied in vitro. Temporal progression of osteogenic maturation was assessed by gene expression of key markers. A preliminary animal study demonstrated bone healing capacity of the biphasic PA nanomatrix under physiological conditions using a critical size femoral defect rat model. The combination of RGDS ligand signaling and HA nanoparticles within the biphasic PA nanomatrix hydrogel demonstrated the most effective osteoinduction and comparative bone healing response. Therefore, the biphasic PA nanomatrix establishes a well-organized scaffold with increased similarity to natural bone ECM with the prospect for improved bone tissue regeneration.

Osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblasts on biomimetic tyrosine-derived polycarbonate scaffolds

The osteogenic potential of biomimetic tyrosine-derived polycarbonate (TyrPC) scaffolds containing either an ethyl ester or a methyl ester group combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) was assessed using the preosteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1. Each composition of TyrPC was fabricated into 3D porous scaffolds with a bimodal pore distribution of micropores <20 μm and macropores between 200 and 400 μm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization suggested MC3T3-E1 cell attachment on the TyrPC scaffold surface. Moreover, the 3D TyrPC-containing ethyl ester side chains supported osteogenic lineage progression, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteocalcin (OCN) expression as well as an increase in calcium content compared with the scaffolds containing the methyl ester group. The release profiles of rhBMP-2 from the 3D TyrPC scaffolds by 15 days suggested a biphasic rhBMP-2 release. There was no significant difference in bioactivity between rhBMP-2 releasate from the scaffolds and exogenous rhBMP-2. Lastly, the TyrPC containing rhBMP-2 promoted more ALP activity and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells compared with TyrPC without rhBMP-2. Consequently, the data strongly suggest that TyrPC scaffolds will provide a highly useful platform for bone tissue engineering.

Lubricin is expressed in chondrocytes derived from osteoarthritic cartilage encapsulated in poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate scaffold

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by degenerative changes within joints that involved quantitative and/or qualitative alterations of cartilage and synovial fluid lubricin, a mucinous glycoprotein secreted by synovial fibroblasts and chondrocytes. Modern therapeutic methods, including tissue-engineering techniques, have been used to treat mechanical damage of the articular cartilage but to date there is no specific and effective treatment. This study aimed at investigating lubricin immunohistochemical expression in cartilage explant from normal and OA patients and in cartilage constructions formed by Poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) based hydrogels (PEG-DA) encapsulated OA chondrocytes. The expression levels of lubricin were studied by immunohistochemistry: i) in tissue explanted from OA and normal human cartilage; ii) in chondrocytes encapsulated in hydrogel PEGDA from OA and normal human cartilage. Moreover, immunocytochemical and western blot analysis were performed in monolayer cells from OA and normal cartilage. The results showed an increased expression of lubricin in explanted tissue and in monolayer cells from normal cartilage, and a decreased expression of lubricin in OA cartilage. The chondrocytes from OA cartilage after 5 weeks of culture in hydrogels (PEGDA) showed an increased expression of lubricin compared with the control cartilage. The present study demonstrated that OA chondrocytes encapsulated in PEGDA, grown in the scaffold and were able to restore lubricin biosynthesis. Thus our results suggest the possibility of applying autologous cell transplantation in conjunction with scaffold materials for repairing cartilage lesions in patients with OA to reduce at least the progression of the disease.

Osteoblast growth and bone-healing response to three-dimensional poly(ε-caprolactone fumarate) scaffolds

Poly(ε-caprolactone fumarate) (PCLF) scaffold formulations were assessed as a delivery system for recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2) for bone tissue engineering. The formulations included PCLF with combinations of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and hydroxyapatite (HA). The assessments included in vitro and in vivo assays. In vitro assays validated cell attachment using a pre-osteoblast cell line (MC3T3-E1). Additionally, in vitro release profiles of rhBMP-2 from PCLF scaffolds were determined up to 21 days. The data suggested that PCLF incorporated with PVA and HA accelerated rhBMP-2 release and that the released protein was bioactive. For the in vivo study, a critical-sized defect (CSD) model in rabbit calvaria was used to test PCLF scaffolds. At 6 weeks post-implantation, significantly more bone formation was measured in PCLF scaffolds containing rhBMP-2 than in scaffolds without rhBMP-2. In conclusion, we demonstrated that PCLF delivered biologically active rhBMP-2, promoted bone healing in a CSD and has potential as a bone tissue engineering scaffold.