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Ronca A, D'Amora U, Capuana E, Zihlmann C, Stiefel N, Pattappa G, Schewior R, Docheva D, Angele P, Ambrosio L. Development of a highly concentrated collagen ink for the creation of a 3D printed meniscus. Heliyon 2023; 9:e23107. [PMID: 38144315 PMCID: PMC10746456 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The most prevalent extracellular matrix (ECM) protein in the meniscus is collagen, which controls cell activity and aids in preserving the biological and structural integrity of the ECM. To create stable and high-precision 3D printed collagen scaffolds, ink formulations must possess good printability and cytocompatibility. This study aims to overlap the limitation in the 3D printing of pure collagen, and to develop a highly concentrated collagen ink for meniscus fabrication. The extrusion test revealed that 12.5 % collagen ink had the best combination of high collagen concentration and printability. The ink was specifically designed to have load-bearing capacity upon printing and characterized with respect to rheological and extrusion properties. Following printing of structures with different infill, a series of post-processing steps, including salt stabilization, pH shifting, washing, freeze-drying, crosslinking and sterilization were performed, and optimised to maintain the stability of the engineered construct. Mechanical testing highlighted a storage modulus of 70 kPa for the lower porous structure while swelling properties showed swelling ratio between 9 and 11 after 15 min of soaking. Moreover, human avascular and vascular meniscus cells cultured on the scaffolds deposited a meniscus-like matrix containing collagen I, II and glycosaminoglycans after 28 days of culture. Finally, as proof-of-concept, human size 3D printed meniscus scaffold were created.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Ronca
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Ugo D'Amora
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Elisa Capuana
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Carla Zihlmann
- Geistlich Pharma AG (Geistlich), Bahnhofstrasse 40, CH-6110 Wolhusen, Switzerland
| | - Niklaus Stiefel
- Geistlich Pharma AG (Geistlich), Bahnhofstrasse 40, CH-6110 Wolhusen, Switzerland
| | - Girish Pattappa
- Experimental Trauma Surgery, Department of Trauma Surgery, University Regensburg Medical Centre, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ruth Schewior
- Experimental Trauma Surgery, Department of Trauma Surgery, University Regensburg Medical Centre, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Denitsa Docheva
- Experimental Trauma Surgery, Department of Trauma Surgery, University Regensburg Medical Centre, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Musculoskeletal Tissue Regeneration, Orthopaedic Hospital König-Ludwig-Haus, University of Wurzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Angele
- Experimental Trauma Surgery, Department of Trauma Surgery, University Regensburg Medical Centre, Regensburg, Germany
- Sporthopaedicum Regensburg, Hildegard von Bingen Strasse 1, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Luigi Ambrosio
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
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Vasiliadis AV, Koukoulias N, Katakalos K. From Three-Dimensional (3D)- to 6D-Printing Technology in Orthopedics: Science Fiction or Scientific Reality? J Funct Biomater 2022; 13:jfb13030101. [PMID: 35893469 PMCID: PMC9326671 DOI: 10.3390/jfb13030101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past three decades, additive manufacturing has changed from an innovative technology to an increasingly accessible tool in all aspects of different medical practices, including orthopedics. Although 3D-printing technology offers a relatively inexpensive, rapid and less risky route of manufacturing, it is still quite limited for the fabrication of more complex objects. Over the last few years, stable 3D-printed objects have been converted to smart objects or implants using novel 4D-printing systems. Four-dimensional printing is an advanced process that creates the final object by adding smart materials. Human bones are curved along their axes, a morphological characteristic that augments the mechanical strain caused by external forces. Instead of the three axes used in 4D printing, 5D-printing technology uses five axes, creating curved and more complex objects. Nowadays, 6D-printing technology marries the concepts of 4D- and 5D-printing technology to produce objects that change shape over time in response to external stimuli. In future research, it is obvious that printing technology will include a combination of multi-dimensional printing technology and smart materials. Multi-dimensional additive manufacturing technology will drive the printing dimension to higher levels of structural freedom and printing efficacy, offering promising properties for various orthopedic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo V. Vasiliadis
- 2nd Orthopedic Department, General Hospital of Thessaloniki “Papageorgiou”, 56403 Thessaloniki, Greece
- School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence:
| | - Nikolaos Koukoulias
- Orthopedic Department, Sports Injuries Unit, Saint Luke’s Hospital, 55236 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Konstantinos Katakalos
- Laboratory for Strength of Materials and Structures, Department of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
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