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AUTHOR Barceló, Xavier and Eichholz, Kian F. and Gonçalves, Inês F. and Garcia, Orquidea and Kelly, Daniel J.
Title Bioprinting of structurally organized meniscal tissue within anisotropic melt electrowritten scaffolds [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Acta Biomaterialia
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DOI/URL URL DOI
Abstract
The meniscus is characterised by an anisotropic collagen fibre network which is integral to its biomechanical functionality. The engineering of structurally organized meniscal grafts that mimic the anisotropy of the native tissue remains a significant challenge. In this study, inkjet bioprinting was used to deposit a cell-laden bioink into additively manufactured scaffolds of differing architectures to engineer fibrocartilage grafts with user defined collagen architectures. Polymeric scaffolds consisting of guiding fibre networks with varying aspect ratios (1:1; 1:4; 1:16) were produced using either fused deposition modelling (FDM) or melt electrowriting (MEW), resulting in scaffolds with different internal architectures and fibre diameters. Scaffold architecture was found to influence the spatial organization of the collagen network laid down by the jetted cells, with higher aspect ratios (1:4 and 1:16) supporting the formation of structurally anisotropic tissues. The MEW scaffolds supported the development of a fibrocartilaginous tissue with compressive mechanical properties similar to that of native meniscus, while the anisotropic tensile properties of these constructs could be tuned by altering the fibre network aspect ratio. This MEW framework was then used to generate scaffolds with spatially distinct fibre patterns, which in turn supported the development of heterogenous tissues consisting of isotropic and anisotropic collagen networks. Such bioprinted tissues could potentially form the basis of new treatment options for damaged and diseased meniscal tissue. Statement of significance This study describes a multiple tool biofabrication strategy which enables the engineering of spatially organized fibrocartilage tissues. The architecture of MEW scaffolds can be tailored to not only modulate the directionality of the collagen fibres laid down by cells, but also to tune the anisotropic tensile mechanical properties of the resulting constructs, thereby enabling the engineering of biomimetic meniscal-like tissues. Furthermore, the inherent flexibility of MEW enables the development of zonally defined and potentially patient-specific implants.
AUTHOR Ainsworth, Madison Jade and Chirico, Nino and de Ruijter, Mylène and Hrynevich, Andrei and Dokter, Inge and Sluijter, Joost P. G. and Malda, Jos and van Mil, Alain and Castilho, Miguel
Title Convergence of melt electrowriting and extrusion-based bioprinting for vascular patterning of a myocardial construct [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Biofabrication
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Abstract
To progress cardiac tissue engineering strategies closer to the clinic, thicker constructs are required to meet the functional need following a cardiac event. Consequently, pre-vascularization of these constructs needs to be investigated to ensure survival and optimal performance of implantable engineered heart tissue. The aim of this research is to investigate the potential of combining extrusion-based bioprinting (EBB) and melt electrowriting for the fabrication of a myocardial construct with a precisely patterned pre-vascular pathway. Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) was investigated as a base hydrogel for the respective myocardial and vascular bioinks with collagen, Matrigel and fibrinogen as interpenetrating polymers to support myocardial functionality. Subsequently, extrusion-based printability and viability were investigated to determine the optimal processing parameters for printing into melt electrowritten meshes. Finally, an anatomically inspired vascular pathway was implemented in a dual EBB set-up into melt electrowritten meshes, creating a patterned pre-vascularized myocardial construct. It was determined that a blend of 5% GelMA and 0.8 mg·ml−1 collagen with a low crosslinked density was optimal for myocardial cellular arrangement and alignment within the constructs. For the vascular fraction, the optimized formulation consisted of 5% GelMA, 0.8 mg·ml−1 collagen and 1 mg·ml−1 fibrinogen with a higher crosslinked density, which led to enhanced vascular cell connectivity. Printability assessment confirmed that the optimized bioinks could effectively fill the microfiber mesh while supporting cell viability (∼70%). Finally, the two bioinks were applied using a dual EBB system for the fabrication of a pre-vascular pathway with the shape of a left anterior descending artery within a myocardial construct, whereby the distinct cell populations could be visualized in their respective patterns up to D14. This research investigated the first step towards developing a thick engineered cardiac tissue construct in which a pre-vascularization pathway is fabricated within a myocardial construct.
AUTHOR Daghrery, Arwa and Ferreira, Jessica A. and Xu, Jinping and Golafshan, Nasim and Kaigler, Darnell and Bhaduri, Sarit B. and Malda, Jos and Castilho, Miguel and Bottino, Marco C.
Title Tissue-specific melt electrowritten polymeric scaffolds for coordinated regeneration of soft and hard periodontal tissues [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Bioactive Materials
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Abstract
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that often causes serious damage to tooth-supporting tissues. The limited successful outcomes of clinically available approaches underscore the need for therapeutics that cannot only provide structural guidance to cells but can also modulate the local immune response. Here, three-dimensional melt electrowritten (i.e., poly(ε-caprolactone)) scaffolds with tissue-specific attributes were engineered to guide differentiation of human-derived periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) and mediate macrophage polarization. The investigated tissue-specific scaffold attributes comprised fiber morphology (aligned vs. random) and highly-ordered architectures with distinct strand spacings (small 250 μm and large 500 μm). Macrophages exhibited an elongated morphology in aligned and highly-ordered scaffolds, while maintaining their round-shape on randomly-oriented fibrous scaffolds. Expressions of periostin and IL-10 were more pronounced on the aligned and highly-ordered scaffolds. While hPDLSCs on the scaffolds with 500 μm strand spacing show higher expression of osteogenic marker (Runx2) over 21 days, cells on randomly-oriented fibrous scaffolds showed upregulation of M1 markers. In an orthotopic mandibular fenestration defect model, findings revealed that the tissue-specific scaffolds (i.e., aligned fibers for periodontal ligament and highly-ordered 500 μm strand spacing fluorinated calcium phosphate [F/CaP]-coated fibers for bone) could enhance the mimicking of regeneration of natural periodontal tissues.
AUTHOR Daghrery, Arwa and Ferreira, Jessica A. and Xu, Jinping and Golafshan, Nasim and Kaigler, Darnell and Bhaduri, Sarit B. and Malda, Jos and Castilho, Miguel and Bottino, Marco C.
Title Tissue-specific melt electrowritten polymeric scaffolds for coordinated regeneration of soft and hard periodontal tissues [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Bioactive Materials
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DOI/URL URL DOI
Abstract
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that often causes serious damage to tooth-supporting tissues. The limited successful outcomes of clinically available approaches underscore the need for therapeutics that cannot only provide structural guidance to cells but can also modulate the local immune response. Here, three-dimensional melt electrowritten (i.e., poly(ε-caprolactone)) scaffolds with tissue-specific attributes were engineered to guide differentiation of human-derived periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) and mediate macrophage polarization. The investigated tissue-specific scaffold attributes comprised fiber morphology (aligned vs. random) and highly-ordered architectures with distinct strand spacings (small 250 μm and large 500 μm). Macrophages exhibited an elongated morphology in aligned and highly-ordered scaffolds, while maintaining their round-shape on randomly-oriented fibrous scaffolds. Expressions of periostin and IL-10 were more pronounced on the aligned and highly-ordered scaffolds. While hPDLSCs on the scaffolds with 500 μm strand spacing show higher expression of osteogenic marker (Runx2) over 21 days, cells on randomly-oriented fibrous scaffolds showed upregulation of M1 markers. In an orthotopic mandibular fenestration defect model, findings revealed that the tissue-specific scaffolds (i.e., aligned fibers for periodontal ligament and highly-ordered 500 μm strand spacing fluorinated calcium phosphate [F/CaP]-coated fibers for bone) could enhance the mimicking of regeneration of natural periodontal tissues.
AUTHOR Daghrery, Arwa and Ferreira, Jessica A. and Xu, Jinping and Golafshan, Nasim and Kaigler, Darnell and Bhaduri, Sarit B. and Malda, Jos and Castilho, Miguel and Bottino, Marco C.
Title Tissue-specific melt electrowritten polymeric scaffolds for coordinated regeneration of soft and hard periodontal tissues [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Bioactive Materials
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DOI/URL URL DOI
Abstract
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that often causes serious damage to tooth-supporting tissues. The limited successful outcomes of clinically available approaches underscore the need for therapeutics that cannot only provide structural guidance to cells but can also modulate the local immune response. Here, three-dimensional melt electrowritten (i.e., poly(ε-caprolactone)) scaffolds with tissue-specific attributes were engineered to guide differentiation of human-derived periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) and mediate macrophage polarization. The investigated tissue-specific scaffold attributes comprised fiber morphology (aligned vs. random) and highly-ordered architectures with distinct strand spacings (small 250 μm and large 500 μm). Macrophages exhibited an elongated morphology in aligned and highly-ordered scaffolds, while maintaining their round-shape on randomly-oriented fibrous scaffolds. Expressions of periostin and IL-10 were more pronounced on the aligned and highly-ordered scaffolds. While hPDLSCs on the scaffolds with 500 μm strand spacing show higher expression of osteogenic marker (Runx2) over 21 days, cells on randomly-oriented fibrous scaffolds showed upregulation of M1 markers. In an orthotopic mandibular fenestration defect model, findings revealed that the tissue-specific scaffolds (i.e., aligned fibers for periodontal ligament and highly-ordered 500 μm strand spacing fluorinated calcium phosphate [F/CaP]-coated fibers for bone) could enhance the mimicking of regeneration of natural periodontal tissues.
AUTHOR Daghrery, Arwa and Ferreira, Jessica A. and Xu, Jinping and Golafshan, Nasim and Kaigler, Darnell and Bhaduri, Sarit B. and Malda, Jos and Castilho, Miguel and Bottino, Marco C.
Title Tissue-specific melt electrowritten polymeric scaffolds for coordinated regeneration of soft and hard periodontal tissues [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Bioactive Materials
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DOI/URL URL DOI
Abstract
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that often causes serious damage to tooth-supporting tissues. The limited successful outcomes of clinically available approaches underscore the need for therapeutics that cannot only provide structural guidance to cells but can also modulate the local immune response. Here, three-dimensional melt electrowritten (i.e., poly(ε-caprolactone)) scaffolds with tissue-specific attributes were engineered to guide differentiation of human-derived periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) and mediate macrophage polarization. The investigated tissue-specific scaffold attributes comprised fiber morphology (aligned vs. random) and highly-ordered architectures with distinct strand spacings (small 250 μm and large 500 μm). Macrophages exhibited an elongated morphology in aligned and highly-ordered scaffolds, while maintaining their round-shape on randomly-oriented fibrous scaffolds. Expressions of periostin and IL-10 were more pronounced on the aligned and highly-ordered scaffolds. While hPDLSCs on the scaffolds with 500 μm strand spacing show higher expression of osteogenic marker (Runx2) over 21 days, cells on randomly-oriented fibrous scaffolds showed upregulation of M1 markers. In an orthotopic mandibular fenestration defect model, findings revealed that the tissue-specific scaffolds (i.e., aligned fibers for periodontal ligament and highly-ordered 500 μm strand spacing fluorinated calcium phosphate [F/CaP]-coated fibers for bone) could enhance the mimicking of regeneration of natural periodontal tissues.
AUTHOR Dufour, A. and Gallostra, X. Barceló and O'Keeffe, C. and Eichholz, K. and Von Euw, S. and Garcia, O. and Kelly, D. J.
Title Integrating melt electrowriting and inkjet bioprinting for engineering structurally organized articular cartilage [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Biomaterials
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Abstract
Successful cartilage engineering requires the generation of biological grafts mimicking the structure, composition and mechanical behaviour of the native tissue. Here melt electrowriting (MEW) was used to produce arrays of polymeric structures whose function was to orient the growth of cellular aggregates spontaneously generated within these structures, and to provide tensile reinforcement to the resulting tissues. Inkjet printing was used to deposit defined numbers of cells into MEW structures, which self-assembled into an organized array of spheroids within hours, ultimately generating a hybrid tissue that was hyaline-like in composition. Structurally, the engineered cartilage mimicked the histotypical organization observed in skeletally immature synovial joints. This biofabrication framework was then used to generate scaled-up (50 mm × 50 mm) cartilage implants containing over 3,500 cellular aggregates in under 15 min. After 8 weeks in culture, a 50-fold increase in the compressive stiffness of these MEW reinforced tissues were observed, while the tensile properties were still dominated by the polymer network, resulting in a composite construct demonstrating tension-compression nonlinearity mimetic of the native tissue. Helium ion microscopy further demonstrated the development of an arcading collagen network within the engineered tissue. This hybrid bioprinting strategy provides a versatile and scalable approach to engineer cartilage biomimetic grafts for biological joint resurfacing.
AUTHOR Daghrery, Arwa and Ferreira, Jessica A. and de Souza Araújo, Isaac J. and Clarkson, Brian H. and Eckert, George J. and Bhaduri, Sarit B. and Malda, Jos and Bottino, Marco C.
Title A Highly Ordered, Nanostructured Fluorinated CaP-Coated Melt Electrowritten Scaffold for Periodontal Tissue Regeneration [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Advanced Healthcare Materials
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Abstract Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory, bacteria-triggered disorder affecting nearly half of American adults. Although some level of tissue regeneration is realized, its low success in complex cases demands superior strategies to amplify regenerative capacity. Herein, highly ordered scaffolds are engineered via Melt ElectroWriting (MEW), and the effects of strand spacing, as well as the presence of a nanostructured fluorinated calcium phosphate (F/CaP) coating on the adhesion/proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of human-derived periodontal ligament stem cells, are investigated. Upon initial cell-scaffold interaction screening aimed at defining the most suitable design, MEW poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds with 500 µm strand spacing are chosen. Following an alkali treatment, scaffolds are immersed in a pre-established solution to allow for coating formation. The presence of a nanostructured F/CaP coating leads to a marked upregulation of osteogenic genes and attenuated bacterial growth. In vivo findings confirm that the F/CaP-coated scaffolds are biocompatible and lead to periodontal regeneration when implanted in a rat mandibular periodontal fenestration defect model. In aggregate, it is considered that this work can contribute to the development of personalized scaffolds capable of enabling tissue-specific differentiation of progenitor cells, and thus guide simultaneous and coordinated regeneration of soft and hard periodontal tissues, while providing antimicrobial protection.
AUTHOR Dubey, Nileshkumar and Ferreira, Jessica A. and Daghrery, Arwa and Aytac, Zeynep and Malda, Jos and Bhaduri, Sarit B. and Bottino, Marco C.
Title Highly Tunable Bioactive Fiber-Reinforced Hydrogel for Guided Bone Regeneration [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Acta Biomaterialia
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One of the most damaging pathologies that affects the health of both soft and hard tissues around the tooth is periodontitis. Clinically, periodontal tissue destruction has been managed by an integrated approach involving elimination of injured tissues followed by regenerative strategies with bone substitutes and/or barrier membranes. Regrettably, a barrier membrane with predictable mechanical integrity and multifunctional therapeutic features has yet to be established. Herein, we report a fiber-reinforced hydrogel with unprecedented tunability in terms of mechanical competence and therapeutic features by integration of highly porous poly(ε-caprolactone) fibrous mesh(es) with well-controlled 3D architecture into bioactive amorphous magnesium phosphate-laden gelatin methacryloyl hydrogels. The presence of amorphous magnesium phosphate and PCL mesh in the hydrogel can control the mechanical properties and improve the osteogenic ability, opening a tremendous opportunity in guided bone regeneration (GBR). Results demonstrate that the presence of PCL meshes fabricated via melt electrowriting can delay hydrogel degradation preventing soft tissue invasion and providing the mechanical barrier to allow time for slower migrating progenitor cells to participate in bone regeneration due to their ability to differentiate into bone-forming cells. Altogether, our approach offers a platform technology for the development of the next-generation of GBR membranes with tunable mechanical and therapeutic properties to amplify bone regeneration in compromised sites.
AUTHOR Peiffer, Quentin C. and de Ruijter, Mylène and van Duijn, Joost and Crottet, Denis and Dominic, Ernst and Malda, Jos and Castilho, Miguel
Title Melt electrowriting onto anatomically relevant biodegradable substrates: Resurfacing a diarthrodial joint [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Materials & Design
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Three-dimensional printed hydrogel constructs with well-organized melt electrowritten (MEW) fibre-reinforcing scaffolds have been demonstrated as a promising regenerative approach to treat small cartilage defects. Here, we investige how to translate the fabrication of small fibre-reinforced structures on flat surfaces to anatomically relevant structures. In particular, the accurate deposition of MEW-fibres onto curved surfaces of conductive and non-conductive regenerative biomaterials is studied. This study reveals that clinically relevant materials with low conductivities are compatible with resurfacing with organized MEW fibres. Importantly, accurate patterning on non-flat surfaces was successfully shown, provided that a constant electrical field strength and an electrical force normal to the substrate material is maintained. Furthermore, the application of resurfacing the geometry of the medial human femoral condyle is confirmed by the fabrication of a personalised osteochondral implant. The implant composed of an articular cartilage-resident chondroprogenitor cells (ACPCs)-laden hydrogel reinforced with a well-organized MEW scaffold retained its personalised shape, improved its compressive properties and supported neocartilage formation after 28 days in vitro culture. Overall, this study establishes the groundwork for translating MEW from planar and non-resorbable material substrates to anatomically relevant geometries and regenerative materials that the regenerative medicine field aims to create.
AUTHOR Daly, Andrew C. and Kelly, Daniel J.
Title Biofabrication of spatially organised tissues by directing the growth of cellular spheroids within 3D printed polymeric microchambers [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings Biomaterials
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Abstract
Successful tissue engineering requires the generation of human scale implants that mimic the structure, composition and mechanical properties of native tissues. Here, we report a novel biofabrication strategy that enables the engineering of structurally organised tissues by guiding the growth of cellular spheroids within arrays of 3D printed polymeric microchambers. With the goal of engineering stratified articular cartilage, inkjet bioprinting was used to deposit defined numbers of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and chondrocytes into pre-printed microchambers. These jetted cell suspensions rapidly underwent condensation within the hydrophobic microchambers, leading to the formation of organised arrays of cellular spheroids. The microchambers were also designed to provide boundary conditions to these spheroids, guiding their growth and eventual fusion, leading to the development of stratified cartilage tissue with a depth-dependant collagen fiber architecture that mimicked the structure of native articular cartilage. Furthermore, the composition and biomechanical properties of the bioprinted cartilage was also comparable to the native tissue. Using multi-tool biofabrication, we were also able to engineer anatomically accurate, human scale, osteochondral templates by printing this microchamber system on top of a hypertrophic cartilage region designed to support endochondral bone formation and then maintaining the entire construct in long-term bioreactor culture to enhance tissue development. This bioprinting strategy provides a versatile and scalable approach to engineer structurally organised cartilage tissues for joint resurfacing applications.
AUTHOR de Ruijter, Mylène and Ribeiro, Alexandre and Dokter, Inge and Castilho, Miguel and Malda, Jos
Title Simultaneous Micropatterning of Fibrous Meshes and Bioinks for the Fabrication of Living Tissue Constructs [Abstract]
Year 2018
Journal/Proceedings Advanced Healthcare Materials
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Abstract Fabrication of biomimetic tissues holds much promise for the regeneration of cells or organs that are lost or damaged due to injury or disease. To enable the generation of complex, multicellular tissues on demand, the ability to design and incorporate different materials and cell types needs to be improved. Two techniques are combined: extrusion-based bioprinting, which enables printing of cell-encapsulated hydrogels; and melt electrowriting (MEW), which enables fabrication of aligned (sub)-micrometer fibers into a single-step biofabrication process. Composite structures generated by infusion of MEW fiber structures with hydrogels have resulted in mechanically and biologically competent constructs; however, their preparation involves a two-step fabrication procedure that limits freedom of design of microfiber architectures and the use of multiple materials and cell types. How convergence of MEW and extrusion-based bioprinting allows fabrication of mechanically stable constructs with the spatial distributions of different cell types without compromising cell viability and chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells is demonstrated for the first time. Moreover, this converged printing approach improves freedom of design of the MEW fibers, enabling 3D fiber deposition. This is an important step toward biofabrication of voluminous and complex hierarchical structures that can better resemble the characteristics of functional biological tissues.
AUTHOR Cunniffe, Gráinne and Gonzalez-Fernandez, Tomas and Daly, Andrew and Nelson Sathy, Binulal and Jeon, Oju and Alsberg, Eben and J. Kelly, Daniel
Title Three-Dimensional Bioprinting of Polycaprolactone Reinforced Gene Activated Bioinks for Bone Tissue Engineering [Abstract]
Year 2017
Journal/Proceedings Tissue Engineering Part A
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Abstract
Regeneration of complex bone defects remains a significant clinical challenge. Multi-tool biofabrication has permitted the combination of various biomaterials to create multifaceted composites with tailorable mechanical properties and spatially controlled biological function. In this study we sought to use bioprinting to engineer nonviral gene activated constructs reinforced by polymeric micro-filaments. A gene activated bioink was developed using RGD-g-irradiated alginate and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) complexed to plasmid DNA (pDNA). This ink was combined with bonemarrow-derived mesenchymal stemcells (MSCs) and then co-printed with a polycaprolactone supporting mesh to provide mechanical stability to the construct. Reporter genes were first used to demonstrate successful cell transfection using this system, with sustained expression of the transgene detected over 14 days postbioprinting. Delivery of a combination of therapeutic genes encoding for bone morphogenic protein and transforming growth factor promoted robust osteogenesis of encapsulated MSCs in vitro, with enhanced levels of matrix deposition and mineralization observed following the incorporation of therapeutic pDNA. Gene activated MSC-laden constructs were then implanted subcutaneously, directly postfabrication, and were found to support superior levels of vascularization andmineralization compared to cell-free controls. These results validate the use of a gene activated bioink to impart biological functionality to three-dimensional bioprinted constructs.
AUTHOR Yao, Y. and Raymond, J. E. and Kauffmann, F. and Maekawa, S. and Sugai, J. V. and Lahann, J. and Giannobile, W. V.
Title Multicompartmental Scaffolds for Coordinated Periodontal Tissue Engineering [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Journal of Dental Research
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Abstract
Successful periodontal repair and regeneration requires the coordinated responses from soft and hard tissues as well as the soft tissue–to–bone interfaces. Inspired by the hierarchical structure of native periodontal tissues, tissue engineering technology provides unique opportunities to coordinate multiple cell types into scaffolds that mimic the natural periodontal structure in vitro. In this study, we designed and fabricated highly ordered multicompartmental scaffolds by melt electrowriting, an advanced 3-dimensional (3D) printing technique. This strategy attempted to mimic the characteristic periodontal microenvironment through multicompartmental constructs comprising 3 tissue-specific regions: 1) a bone compartment with dense mesh structure, 2) a ligament compartment mimicking the highly aligned periodontal ligaments (PDLs), and 3) a transition region that bridges the bone and ligament, a critical feature that differentiates this system from mono- or bicompartmental alternatives. The multicompartmental constructs successfully achieved coordinated proliferation and differentiation of multiple cell types in vitro within short time, including both ligamentous- and bone-derived cells. Long-term 3D coculture of primary human osteoblasts and PDL fibroblasts led to a mineral gradient from calcified to uncalcified regions with PDL-like insertions within the transition region, an effect that is challenging to achieve with mono- or bicompartmental platforms. This process effectively recapitulates the key feature of interfacial tissues in periodontium. Collectively, this tissue-engineered approach offers a fundament for engineering periodontal tissue constructs with characteristic 3D microenvironments similar to native tissues. This multicompartmental 3D printing approach is also highly compatible with the design of next-generation scaffolds, with both highly adjustable compartmentalization properties and patient-specific shapes, for multitissue engineering in complex periodontal defects.
AUTHOR Ainsworth, Madison J. and Lotz, Oliver and Gilmour, Aaron and Zhang, Anyu and Chen, Michael J. and McKenzie, David R. and Bilek, Marcela M. M. and Malda, Jos and Akhavan, Behnam and Castilho, Miguel
Title Covalent Protein Immobilization on 3D-Printed Microfiber Meshes for Guided Cartilage Regeneration [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Advanced Functional Materials
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Abstract Current biomaterial-based strategies explored to treat articular cartilage defects have failed to provide adequate physico-chemical cues in order to guide functional tissue regeneration. Here, it is hypothesized that atmospheric-pressure plasma (APPJ) treatment and melt electrowriting (MEW) will produce microfiber support structures with covalently-immobilized transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ1) that can stimulate the generation of functional cartilage tissue. The effect of APPJ operational speeds to activate MEW polycaprolactone meshes for immobilization of TGFβ1 is first investigated and chondrogenic differentiation and neo-cartilage production are assessed in vitro. All APPJ speeds test enhanced hydrophilicity of the meshes, with the slow treatment speed having significantly less CC/CH and more COOH than the untreated meshes. APPJ treatment increases TGFβ1 loading efficiency. Additionally, in vitro experiments highlight that APPJ-based TGFβ1 attachment to the scaffolds is more advantageous than direct supplementation within the medium. After 28 days of culture, the group with immobilized TGFβ1 has significantly increased compressive modulus (more than threefold) and higher glycosaminoglycan production (more than fivefold) than when TGFβ1 is supplied through the medium. These results demonstrate that APPJ activation allows reagent-free, covalent immobilization of TGFβ1 on microfiber meshes and, importantly, that the biofunctionalized meshes can stimulate neo-cartilage matrix formation. This opens new perspectives for guided tissue regeneration.
AUTHOR Park, Hae Sang and Lee, Ji Seung and Kim, Chang-Beom and Lee, Kwang-Ho and Hong, In-Sun and Jung, Harry and Lee, Hanna and Lee, Young Jin and Ajiteru, Olatunji and Sultan, Md Tipu and Lee, Ok Joo and Kim, Soon Hee and Park, Chan Hum
Title Fluidic integrated 3D bioprinting system to sustain cell viability towards larynx fabrication [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Bioengineering & Translational Medicine
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Abstract
Abstract Herein, we report the first study to create a three-dimensional (3D) bioprinted artificial larynx for whole-laryngeal replacement. Our 3D bio-printed larynx was generated using extrusion-based 3D bioprinter with rabbit's chondrocyte-laden gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)/glycidyl-methacrylated hyaluronic acid (GMHA) hybrid bioink. We used a polycaprolactone (PCL) outer framework incorporated with pores to achieve the structural strength of printed constructs, as well as to provide a suitable microenvironment to support printed cells. Notably, we established a novel fluidics supply (FS) system that simultaneously supplies basal medium together with a 3D bioprinting process, thereby improving cell survival during the printing process. Our results showed that the FS system enhanced post-printing cell viability, which enabled the generation of a large-scale cell-laden artificial laryngeal framework. Additionally, the incorporation of the PCL outer framework with pores and inner hydrogel provides structural stability and sufficient nutrient/oxygen transport. An animal study confirmed that the transplanted 3D bio-larynx successfully maintained the airway. With further development, our new strategy holds great potential for fabricating human-scale larynxes with in vivo-like biological functions for laryngectomy patients.
AUTHOR Freeman, Fiona E. and Pitacco, Pierluca and van Dommelen, Lieke H. A. and Nulty, Jessica and Browe, David C. and Shin, Jung-Youn and Alsberg, Eben and Kelly, Daniel J.
Title 3D bioprinting spatiotemporally defined patterns of growth factors to tightly control tissue regeneration [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Science Advances
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Abstract
Therapeutic growth factor delivery typically requires supraphysiological dosages, which can cause undesirable off-target effects. The aim of this study was to 3D bioprint implants containing spatiotemporally defined patterns of growth factors optimized for coupled angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Using nanoparticle functionalized bioinks, it was possible to print implants with distinct growth factor patterns and release profiles spanning from days to weeks. The extent of angiogenesis in vivo depended on the spatial presentation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Higher levels of vessel invasion were observed in implants containing a spatial gradient of VEGF compared to those homogenously loaded with the same total amount of protein. Printed implants containing a gradient of VEGF, coupled with spatially defined BMP-2 localization and release kinetics, accelerated large bone defect healing with little heterotopic bone formation. This demonstrates the potential of growth factor printing, a putative point of care therapy, for tightly controlled tissue regeneration.
AUTHOR Constante, Gissela and Apsite, Indra and Schönfeld, Dennis and Pretsch, Thorsten and Ionov, Leonid
Title Reversibly Photoswitchable High-Aspect Ratio Surfaces [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Small Structures
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Abstract
Herein, the fabrication of light-sensitive high-aspect ratio surfaces with switchable topography using melt-electrowriting of shape-memory polymers and deposition of light-to-heat converting black ink on it by dip coating is reported on. The lamellae exposed to low temperatures are hard and cannot be deformed by water droplets. The temperature reached upon illumination of surfaces is close to the melting point of the soft segment of the polyurethane that leads to softening of the polymer. Due to this, it is possible to locally deform and recover the light-softened surface structures by water droplets deposited on lamellae. The deformed state can be fixed by cooling down resulting in the crystallization of the polymer. Thus, the reversibility of local deformation can be achieved. Finally, the application of the developed approach and materials for the fabrication of smart light-controlled valves is demonstrated, which can be used for the controlled mixing of fluids in microfluidic devices.
AUTHOR Huang, Boyang and Wang, Yaxin and Vyas, Cian and Bartolo, Paulo
Title Crystal Growth of 3D Poly(ε-caprolactone) Based Bone Scaffolds and Its Effects on the Physical Properties and Cellular Interactions [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Advanced Science
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Abstract Extrusion additive manufacturing is widely used to fabricate polymer-based 3D bone scaffolds. However, the insight views of crystal growths, scaffold features and eventually cell-scaffold interactions are still unknown. In this work, melt and solvent extrusion additive manufacturing techniques are used to produce scaffolds considering highly analogous printing conditions. Results show that the scaffolds produced by these two techniques present distinct physiochemical properties, with melt-printed scaffolds showing stronger mechanical properties and solvent-printed scaffolds showing rougher surface, higher degradation rate, and faster stress relaxation. These differences are attributed to the two different crystal growth kinetics, temperature-induced crystallization (TIC) and strain-induced crystallization (SIC), forming large/integrated spherulite-like and a small/fragmented lamella-like crystal regions respectively. The stiffer substrate of melt-printed scaffolds contributes to higher ratio of nuclear Yes-associated protein (YAP) allocation, favoring cell proliferation and differentiation. Faster relaxation and degradation of solvent-printed scaffolds result in dynamic surface, contributing to an early-stage faster osteogenesis differentiation.
AUTHOR Kokkinis, Dimitri and Bouville, Florian and Studart, André R.
Title 3D Printing of Materials with Tunable Failure via Bioinspired Mechanical Gradients [Abstract]
Year 2018
Journal/Proceedings Advanced Materials
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Abstract
Abstract Mechanical gradients are useful to reduce strain mismatches in heterogeneous materials and thus prevent premature failure of devices in a wide range of applications. While complex graded designs are a hallmark of biological materials, gradients in manmade materials are often limited to 1D profiles due to the lack of adequate fabrication tools. Here, a multimaterial 3D‐printing platform is developed to fabricate elastomer gradients spanning three orders of magnitude in elastic modulus and used to investigate the role of various bioinspired gradient designs on the local and global mechanical behavior of synthetic materials. The digital image correlation data and finite element modeling indicate that gradients can be effectively used to manipulate the stress state and thus circumvent the weakening effect of defect‐rich interfaces or program the failure behavior of heterogeneous materials. Implementing this concept in materials with bioinspired designs can potentially lead to defect‐tolerant structures and to materials whose tunable failure facilitates repair of biomedical implants, stretchable electronics, or soft robotics.
AUTHOR van Charante, Frits and Martínez-Pérez, David and Guarch-Pérez, Clara and Courtens, Charlotte and Sass, Andrea and Choińska, Emilia and Idaszek, Joanna and Van Calenbergh, Serge and Riool, Martijn and Zaat, Sebastian A. J. and Święszkowski, Wojciech and Coenye, Tom
Title 3D-printed wound dressings containing a fosmidomycin-derivative prevent Acinetobacter baumannii biofilm formation [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings iScience
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Abstract
Summary Acinetobacter baumannii causes a wide range of infections, including wound infections. Multidrug-resistant A. baumannii is a major healthcare concern and the development of novel treatments against these infections is needed. Fosmidomycin is a repurposed antimalarial drug targeting the non-mevalonate pathway, and several derivatives show activity towards A. baumannii. We evaluated the antimicrobial activity of CC366, a fosmidomycin prodrug, against a collection of A. baumannii strains, using various in vitro and in vivo models; emphasis was placed on the evaluation of its anti-biofilm activity. We also developed a 3D-printed wound dressing containing CC366, using melt electrowriting technology. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of CC366 ranged from 1 to 64 μg/mL, and CC366 showed good biofilm inhibitory and moderate biofilm eradicating activity in vitro. CC366 successfully eluted from a 3D-printed dressing, the dressings prevented the formation of A. baumannnii wound biofilms in vitro and reduced A. baumannii infection in an in vivo mouse model.
AUTHOR Wesdorp, Marinus A. and Schwab, Andrea and Bektas, Ezgi Irem and Narcisi, Roberto and Eglin, David and Stoddart, Martin J. and Van Osch, Gerjo J. V. M. and D'Este, Matteo
Title A culture model to analyze the acute biomaterial-dependent reaction of human primary neutrophils in vitro [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Bioactive Materials
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Abstract
Neutrophils play a pivotal role in orchestrating the immune system response to biomaterials, the onset and resolution of chronic inflammation, and macrophage polarization. However, the neutrophil response to biomaterials and the consequent impact on tissue engineering approaches is still scarcely understood. Here, we report an in vitro culture model that comprehensively describes the most important neutrophil functions in the light of tissue repair. We isolated human primary neutrophils from peripheral blood and exposed them to a panel of hard, soft, naturally- and synthetically-derived materials. The overall trend showed increased neutrophil survival on naturally derived constructs, together with higher oxidative burst, decreased myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase and decreased cytokine secretion compared to neutrophils on synthetic materials. The culture model is a step to better understand the immune modulation elicited by biomaterials. Further studies are needed to correlate the neutrophil response to tissue healing and to elucidate the mechanism triggering the cell response and their consequences in determining inflammation onset and resolution.
AUTHOR Rikkers, Margot and Nguyen, H. Chien and Golafshan, Nasim and de Ruijter, Mylène and Levato, Riccardo and Vonk, Lucienne A. and van Egmond, Nienke and Castilho, Miguel and Custers, Roel J. H. and Malda, Jos
Title A Gap-Filling, Regenerative Implant for Open-Wedge Osteotomy [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Journal of Cartilage & Joint Preservation
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Abstract
Purpose In patients suffering from unilateral osteoarthritis in the knee, an osteotomy can provide symptomatic relief and postpone the need for replacement of the joint. Nevertheless, open-wedge osteotomies (OWO) around the knee joint face several challenges like postoperative pain and bone non-union. In this study, the aim was to design, fabricate, and evaluate a gap-filling implant for OWO using an osteoinductive and degradable biomaterial. Methods Design of porous wedge-shaped implants was based on computed tomography (CT) scans of cadaveric legs. Implants were 3D printed using a magnesium strontium phosphate-polycaprolactone (MgPSr-PCL) biomaterial ink. Standardized scaffolds with different inter-fibre spacing (IFS) were mechanically characterized and osteoinductive properties of the biomaterial were assessed in vitro. Finally, human-sized implants with different heights (5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm) were designed and fabricated for ex vivo implantation during three OWO procedures in human cadaveric legs. Results Implants printed with an interior of IFS-1.0 resulted in scaffolds that maintained top and bottom porosity, while the interior of the implant exhibited significant mechanical stability. Bone marrow concentrate and culture expanded mesenchymal stromal cells attached to the MgPSr-PCL material and proliferated over 21 days in culture. The production of osteogenic markers alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium, and osteocalcin was promoted in all culture conditions, independent of osteogenic induction medium. Finally, three OWO procedures were planned and fabricated wedges were implanted ex vivo during the procedures. A small fraction of one side of the wedges was resected to assure fit into the proximal biplanar osteotomy gap. Pre-planned wedge heights were maintained after implantation as measured by micro-CT. Conclusion To conclude, personalized implants for implantation in open-wedge osteotomies were successfully designed and manufactured. The implant material supported osteogenesis of MSCs and BMC in vitro and full-size implants were successfully implemented into the surgical procedure, without compromising pre-planned wedge height.
AUTHOR Moon, Seongjun and Neale, Dylan B. and Kim, Do Hoon and Mukherji, Malini and Hughes, Elliot and Deng, Yuxuan and Kerneis, Fabienne and Luo, Xiuquan and Tharp, Darron and Bognar, Ernest and Stanbery, Laura and Nemunaitis, John and Chun, Tae-Hwa and Lahann, Joerg
Title A Scalable Engineered Extracellular Matrix Platform to Expand Tumor Cells [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Advanced NanoBiomed Research
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Abstract
The demand for high-throughput and scalable cell expansion platforms that can accommodate diverse cell types remains a critical requirement across various biomedical fields. Fibronectin (Fn), an essential component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), has been used as a conformal surface coating for two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems. However, the soluble, globular Fn used for 2D coatings differs structurally from the native Fn, which possesses a three-dimensional (3D) fibrillar structure. Herein, a large-scale engineered ECM (EECM) cell expansion platform based on a 3D fibrillar Fn network spanning over centimeters is presented. Extended fibrillar networks are formed by shearing dilute Fn solutions over tessellated polymeric scaffolds, which are conveniently prepared by 3D printing. The structure and size of the Fn-based 3D EECM scaffold are optimized by evaluating the proliferation of a colorectal tumor cell line, CT26, commonly used in the in vivo tumor immunotherapy models. The 3D EECM scaffolds support a fourfold more efficient tumor cell expansion than a conventional 2D culture system, demonstrating the potential efficacy in supporting the robust expansion of cancer cells ex vivo with an eye on cancer immunotherapy.
AUTHOR Daskalakis, Evangelos and Hassan, Mohamed H. and Omar, Abdalla M. and Acar, Anil A. and Fallah, Ali and Cooper, Glen and Weightman, Andrew and Blunn, Gordon and Koc, Bahattin and Bartolo, Paulo
Title Accelerated Degradation of Poly-ε-caprolactone Composite Scaffolds for Large Bone Defects [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Polymers
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Abstract
This research investigates the accelerated hydrolytic degradation process of both anatomically designed bone scaffolds with a pore size gradient and a rectangular shape (biomimetically designed scaffolds or bone bricks). The effect of material composition is investigated considering poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) as the main scaffold material, reinforced with ceramics such as hydroxyapatite (HA), β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and bioglass at a concentration of 20 wt%. In the case of rectangular scaffolds, the effect of pore size (200 μm, 300 μm and 500 μm) is also investigated. The degradation process (accelerated degradation) was investigated during a period of 5 days in a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) medium. Degraded bone bricks and rectangular scaffolds were measured each day to evaluate the weight loss of the samples, which were also morphologically, thermally, chemically and mechanically assessed. The results show that the PCL/bioglass bone brick scaffolds exhibited faster degradation kinetics in comparison with the PCL, PCL/HA and PCL/TCP bone bricks. Furthermore, the degradation kinetics of rectangular scaffolds increased by increasing the pore size from 500 μm to 200 μm. The results also indicate that, for the same material composition, bone bricks degrade slower compared with rectangular scaffolds. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show that the degradation process was faster on the external regions of the bone brick scaffolds (600 μm pore size) compared with the internal regions (200 μm pore size). The thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) results show that the ceramic concentration remained constant throughout the degradation process, while differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results show that all scaffolds exhibited a reduction in crystallinity (Xc), enthalpy (Δm) and melting temperature (Tm) throughout the degradation process, while the glass transition temperature (Tg) slightly increased. Finally, the compression results show that the mechanical properties decreased during the degradation process, with PCL/bioglass bone bricks and rectangular scaffolds presenting higher mechanical properties with the same design in comparison with the other materials.
AUTHOR Barceló, Xavier and Garcia, Orquidea and Kelly, Daniel J.
Title Chondroitinase ABC Treatment Improves the Organization and Mechanics of 3D Bioprinted Meniscal Tissue [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings ACS Biomater. Sci. Eng.
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Abstract
The meniscus is a fibrocartilage tissue that is integral to the correct functioning of the knee joint. The tissue possesses a unique collagen fiber architecture that is integral to its biomechanical functionality. In particular, a network of circumferentially aligned collagen fibers function to bear the high tensile forces generated in the tissue during normal daily activities. The limited regenerative capacity of the meniscus has motivated increased interest in meniscus tissue engineering; however, the in vitro generation of structurally organized meniscal grafts with a collagen architecture mimetic of the native meniscus remains a significant challenge. Here we used melt electrowriting (MEW) to produce scaffolds with defined pore architectures to impose physical boundaries upon cell growth and extracellular matrix production. This enabled the bioprinting of anisotropic tissues with collagen fibers preferentially oriented parallel to the long axis of the scaffold pores. Furthermore, temporally removing glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs) during the early stages of in vitro tissue development using chondroitinase ABC (cABC) was found to positively impact collagen network maturation. Specially we found that temporal depletion of sGAGs is associated with an increase in collagen fiber diameter without any detrimental effect on the development of a meniscal tissue phenotype or subsequent extracellular matrix production. Moreover, temporal cABC treatment supported the development of engineered tissues with superior tensile mechanical properties compared to empty MEW scaffolds. These findings demonstrate the benefit of temporal enzymatic treatments when engineering structurally anisotropic tissues using emerging biofabrication technologies such as MEW and inkjet bioprinting.
AUTHOR Golafshan, Nasim and Castilho, Miguel and Daghrery, Arwa and Alehosseini, Morteza and van de Kemp, Tom and Krikonis, Konstantinos and de Ruijter, Mylene and Dal-Fabbro, Renan and Dolatshahi-Pirouz, Alireza and Bhaduri, Sarit B. and Bottino, Marco C. and Malda, Jos
Title Composite Graded Melt Electrowritten Scaffolds for Regeneration of the Periodontal Ligament-to-Bone Interface
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces
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AUTHOR Fuchs, Andreas and Bartolf-Kopp, Michael and Böhm, Hartmut and Straub, Anton and Kübler, Alexander C. and Linz, Christian and Gbureck, Uwe
Title Composite grafts made of polycaprolactone fiber mats and oil-based calcium phosphate cement pastes for the reconstruction of cranial and maxillofacial defects [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Clinical Oral Investigations
Reftype Fuchs2023
DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
Synthetic bone substitutes which can be adapted preoperatively and patient specific may be helpful in various bony defects in the field of oral- and maxillofacial surgery. For this purpose, composite grafts made of self-setting and oil-based calcium phosphate cement (CPC) pastes, which were reinforced with 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) fiber mats were manufactured.
AUTHOR Nalesso, Paulo Roberto Lopes and Vedovatto, Matheus and Gregório, Julia Eduarda Schneider and Huang, Boyang and Vyas, Cian and Santamaria-Jr, Milton and Bártolo, Paulo and Caetano, Guilherme Ferreira
Title Early In Vivo Osteogenic and Inflammatory Response of 3D Printed Polycaprolactone/Carbon Nanotube/Hydroxyapatite/Tricalcium Phosphate Composite Scaffolds [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Polymers
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Abstract
The development of advanced biomaterials and manufacturing processes to fabricate biologically and mechanically appropriate scaffolds for bone tissue is a significant challenge. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biocompatible and degradable polymer used in bone tissue engineering, but it lacks biofunctionalization. Bioceramics, such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and β tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), which are similar chemically to native bone, can facilitate both osteointegration and osteoinduction whilst improving the biomechanics of a scaffold. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) display exceptional electrical conductivity and mechanical properties. A major limitation is the understanding of how PCL-based scaffolds containing HA, TCP, and CNTs behave in vivo in a bone regeneration model. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of three-dimensional (3D) printed PCL-based composite scaffolds containing CNTs, HA, and β-TCP during the initial osteogenic and inflammatory response phase in a critical bone defect rat model. Gene expression related to early osteogenesis, the inflammatory phase, and tissue formation was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Tissue formation and mineralization were assessed by histomorphometry. The CNT+HA/TCP group presented higher expression of osteogenic genes after seven days. The CNT+HA and CNT+TCP groups stimulated higher gene expression for tissue formation and mineralization, and pro- and anti-inflammatory genes after 14 and 30 days. Moreover, the CNT+TCP and CNT+HA/TCP groups showed higher gene expressions related to M1 macrophages. The association of CNTs with ceramics at 10wt% (CNT+HA/TCP) showed lower expressions of inflammatory genes and higher osteogenic, presenting a positive impact and balanced cell signaling for early bone formation. The association of CNTs with both ceramics promoted a minor inflammatory response and faster bone tissue formation.
AUTHOR Helaehil, Júlia Venturini and Helaehil, Luiza Venturini and Alves, Laryssa Fernanda and Huang, Boyang and Santamaria-Jr, Milton and Bartolo, Paulo and Caetano, Guilherme Ferreira
Title Electrical Stimulation Therapy and HA/TCP Composite Scaffolds Modulate the Wnt Pathways in Bone Regeneration of Critical-Sized Defects [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Bioengineering
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Abstract
Critical bone defects are the most difficult challenges in the area of tissue repair. Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds, associated with hydroxyapatite (HA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP), are reported to have an enhanced bioactivity. Moreover, the use of electrical stimulation (ES) has overcome the lack of bioelectricity at the bone defect site and compensated the endogenous electrical signals. Such treatments could modulate cells and tissue signaling pathways. However, there is no study investigating the effects of ES and bioceramic composite scaffolds on bone tissue formation, particularly in the view of cell signaling pathway. This study aims to investigate the application of HA/TCP composite scaffolds and ES and their effects on the Wingless-related integration site (Wnt) pathway in critical bone repair. Critical bone defects (25 mm2) were performed in rats, which were divided into four groups: PCL, PCL + ES, HA/TCP and HA/TCP + ES. The scaffolds were grafted at the defect site and applied with the ES application twice a week using 10 µA of current for 5 min. Bone samples were collected for histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis. At the Wnt canonical pathway, HA/TCP and HA/TCP + ES groups showed higher Wnt1 and β-catenin gene expression levels, especially HA/TCP. Moreover, HA/TCP + ES presented higher Runx2, Osterix and Bmp-2 levels. At the Wnt non-canonical pathway, HA/TCP group showed higher voltage-gated calcium channel (Vgcc), calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, and Wnt5a genes expression, while HA/TCP + ES presented higher protein expression of VGCC and calmodulin (CaM) at the same period. The decrease in sclerostin and osteopontin genes expressions and the lower bone sialoprotein II in the HA/TCP + ES group may be related to the early bone remodeling. This study shows that the use of ES modulated the Wnt pathways and accelerated the osteogenesis with improved tissue maturation.
AUTHOR Mungenast, Lena and Nieminen, Ronya and Gaiser, Carine and Faia-Torres, Ana Bela and Rühe, Jürgen and Suter-Dick, Laura
Title Electrospun decellularized extracellular matrix scaffolds promote the regeneration of injured neurons [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Biomaterials and Biosystems
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Abstract
Traumatic injury to the spinal cord (SCI) causes the transection of neurons, formation of a lesion cavity, and remodeling of the microenvironment by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and scar formation leading to a regeneration-prohibiting environment. Electrospun fiber scaffolds have been shown to simulate the ECM and increase neural alignment and neurite outgrowth contributing to a growth-permissive matrix. In this work, electrospun ECM-like fibers providing biochemical and topological cues are implemented into a scaffold to represent an oriented biomaterial suitable for the alignment and migration of neural cells in order to improve spinal cord regeneration. The successfully decellularized spinal cord ECM (dECM), with no visible cell nuclei and dsDNA content < 50 ng/mg tissue, showed preserved ECM components, such as glycosaminoglycans and collagens. Serving as the biomaterial for 3D printer-assisted electrospinning, highly aligned and randomly distributed dECM fiber scaffolds (< 1 µm fiber diameter) were fabricated. The scaffolds were cytocompatible and supported the viability of a human neural cell line (SH-SY5Y) for 14 days. Cells were selectively differentiated into neurons, as confirmed by immunolabeling of specific cell markers (ChAT, Tubulin ß), and followed the orientation given by the dECM scaffolds. After generating a lesion site on the cell-scaffold model, cell migration was observed and compared to reference poly-ε-caprolactone fiber scaffolds. The aligned dECM fiber scaffold promoted the fastest and most efficient lesion closure, indicating superior cell guiding capabilities of dECM-based scaffolds. The strategy of combining decellularized tissues with controlled deposition of fibers to optimize biochemical and topographical cues opens the way for clinically relevant central nervous system scaffolding solutions.
AUTHOR Gruhn, Thomas and Monsalve, Camilo Ortiz and Müller, Claudia and Heid, Susanne and Boccaccini, Aldo R. and Salehi, Sahar
Title Fabrication of Hydrogel-Based Composite Fibers and Computer Simulation of the Filler Dynamics in the Composite Flow [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Bioengineering
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Abstract
Fibrous structures with anisotropic fillers as composites have found increasing interest in the field of biofabrication since they can mimic the extracellular matrix of anisotropic tissues such as skeletal muscle or nerve tissue. In the present work, the inclusion of anisotropic fillers in hydrogel-based filaments with an interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) was evaluated and the dynamics of such fillers in the composite flow were analyzed using computational simulations. In the experimental part, microfabricated rods (200 and 400 μm length, 50 μm width) were used as anisotropic fillers in extrusion of composite filaments using two techniques of wet spinning and 3D printing. Hydrogels such as oxidized alginate (ADA) and methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) were used as matrices. In the computational simulation, a combination of computational fluid dynamics and coarse-grained molecular dynamics was used to study the dynamics of rod-like fillers in the flow field of a syringe. It showed that, during the extrusion process, microrods are far from being well aligned. Instead, many of them tumble on their way through the needle leading to a random orientation in the fiber which was confirmed experimentally.
AUTHOR Wu, Qinghua and Zhang, Peikai and O'Leary, Gerard and Zhao, Yimu and Xu, Yinghao and Rafatian, Naimeh and Okhovatian, Sargol and Landau, Shira and Valiante, Taufik A. and Travas-Sejdic, Jadranka and Radisic, Milica
Title Flexible 3D printed microwires and 3D microelectrodes for heart-on-a-chip engineering [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Biofabrication
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Abstract
We developed a heart-on-a-chip platform that integrates highly flexible, vertical, 3D micropillar electrodes for electrophysiological recording and elastic microwires for the tissue’s contractile force assessment. The high aspect ratio microelectrodes were 3D-printed into the device using a conductive polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). A pair of flexible, quantum dots/thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposite microwires were 3D printed to anchor the tissue and enable continuous contractile force assessment. The 3D microelectrodes and flexible microwires enabled unobstructed human iPSC-based cardiac tissue formation and contraction, suspended above the device surface, under both spontaneous beating and upon pacing with a separate set of integrated carbon electrodes. Recording of extracellular field potentials using the PEDOT:PSS micropillars was demonstrated with and without epinephrine as a model drug, non-invasively, along with in situ monitoring of tissue contractile properties and calcium transients. Uniquely, the platform provides integrated profiling of electrical and contractile tissue properties, which is critical for proper evaluation of complex, mechanically and electrically active tissues, such as the heart muscle under both physiological and pathological conditions.
AUTHOR Kaneda, Giselle and Chan, Julie L. and Castaneda, Chloe M. and Papalamprou, Angela and Sheyn, Julia and Shelest, Oksana and Huang, Dave and Kluser, Nadine and Yu, Victoria and Ignacio, Gian C. and Gertych, Arkadiusz and Yoshida, Ryu and Metzger, Melodie and Tawackoli, Wafa and Vernengo, Andrea and Sheyn, Dmitriy
Title iPSC-derived tenocytes seeded on microgrooved 3D printed scaffolds for Achilles Tendon Regeneration [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Journal of Orthopaedic Research
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Abstract
AbstractTendons and ligaments have a poor innate healing capacity, yet account for 50% of musculoskeletal injuries in the US. Full structure and function restoration post-injury remains an unmet clinical need. This study aimed to assess the application of novel 3D printed scaffolds and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) overexpressing the transcription factor Scleraxis (SCX, iMSCSCX+) as a new strategy for tendon defect repair. The polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds were fabricated by extrusion through a patterned nozzle or conventional round nozzle. Scaffolds were seeded with iMSCSCX+ and outcomes were assessed in vitro via gene expression analysis and immunofluorescence. In vivo, rat Achilles tendon defects were repaired with iMSCSCX+-seeded microgrooved scaffolds, microgrooved scaffolds only, or suture only and assessed via gait, gene expression, biomechanical testing, histology, and immunofluorescence.iMSCSCX+-seeded on microgrooved scaffolds showed upregulation of tendon markers and increased organization and linearity of cells compared to non-patterned scaffolds in vitro. In vivo gait analysis showed improvement in the Scaffold+iMSCSCX+-treated group compared to the controls. Tensile testing of the tendons demonstrated improved biomechanical properties of the Scaffold+iMSCSCX+ group compared to the controls. Histology and immunofluorescence demonstrated more regular tissue formation in the Scaffold+iMSCSCX+ group.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
AUTHOR Moo, Eng Kuan and Ebrahimi, Mohammadhossein and Hrynevich, Andrei and de Ruijter, Mylène and Castilho, Miguel and Malda, Jos and Korhonen, Rami K.
Title Load-induced fluid pressurisation in hydrogel systems before and after reinforcement by melt-electrowritten fibrous meshes [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
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Abstract
Fluid pressure develops transiently within mechanically-loaded, cell-embedding hydrogels, but its magnitude depends on the intrinsic material properties of the hydrogel and cannot be easily altered. The recently developed melt-electrowriting (MEW) technique enables three-dimensional printing of structured fibrous mesh with small fibre diameter (20 μm). The MEW mesh with 20 μm fibre diameter can synergistically increase the instantaneous mechanical stiffness of soft hydrogels. However, the reinforcing mechanism of the MEW meshes is not well understood, and may involve load-induced fluid pressurisation. Here, we examined the reinforcing effect of MEW meshes in three hydrogels: gelatin methcryloyl (GelMA), agarose and alginate, and the role of load-induced fluid pressurisation in the MEW reinforcement. We tested the hydrogels with and without MEW mesh (i.e., hydrogel alone, and MEW-hydrogel composite) using micro-indentation and unconfined compression, and analysed the mechanical data using biphasic Hertz and mixture models. We found that the MEW mesh altered the tension-to-compression modulus ratio differently for hydrogels that are cross-linked differently, which led to a variable change to their load-induced fluid pressurisation. MEW meshes only enhanced the fluid pressurisation for GelMA, but not for agarose or alginate. We speculate that only covalently cross-linked hydrogels (GelMA) can effectively tense the MEW meshes, thereby enhancing the fluid pressure developed during compressive loading. In conclusion, load-induced fluid pressurisation in selected hydrogels was enhanced by MEW fibrous mesh, and may be controlled by MEW mesh of different designs in the future, thereby making fluid pressure a tunable cell growth stimulus for tissue engineering involving mechanical stimulation.
AUTHOR Pitacco, Pierluca and Sadowska, Joanna M. and O'Brien, Fergal J. and Kelly, Daniel J.
Title 3D bioprinting of cartilaginous templates for large bone defect healing [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Acta Biomaterialia
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Abstract
Damaged or diseased bone can be treated using autografts or a range of different bone grafting biomaterials, however limitations with such approaches has motivated increased interest in developmentally inspired bone tissue engineering (BTE) strategies that seek to recapitulate the process of endochondral ossification (EO) as a means of regenerating critically sized defects. The clinical translation of such strategies will require the engineering of scaled-up, geometrically defined hypertrophic cartilage grafts that can be rapidly vascularised and remodelled into bone in mechanically challenging defect environments. The goal of this study was to 3D bioprint mechanically reinforced cartilaginous templates and to assess their capacity to regenerate critically sized femoral bone defects. Human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hMSCs) were incorporated into fibrin based bioinks and bioprinted into polycaprolactone (PCL) frameworks to produce mechanically reinforced constructs. Chondrogenic priming of such hMSC laden constructs was required to support robust vascularisation and graft mineralisation in vivo following their subcutaneous implantation into nude mice. With a view towards maximising their potential to support endochondral bone regeneration, we next explored different in vitro culture regimes to produce chondrogenic and early hypertrophic engineered grafts. Following their implantation into femoral bone defects within transiently immunosuppressed rats, such bioprinted constructs were rapidly remodelled into bone in vivo, with early hypertrophic constructs supporting higher levels of vascularisation and bone formation compared to the chondrogenic constructs. Such early hypertrophic bioprinted constructs also supported higher levels of vascularisation and spatially distinct patterns of new formation compared to BMP-2 loaded collagen scaffolds (here used as a positive control). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that fibrin based bioinks support chondrogenesis of hMSCs in vitro, which enables the bioprinting of mechanically reinforced hypertrophic cartilaginous templates capable of supporting large bone defect regeneration. These results support the use of 3D bioprinting as a strategy to scale-up the engineering of developmentally inspired templates for BTE. Statement of significance Despite the promise of developmentally inspired tissue engineering strategies for bone regeneration, there are still challenges that need to be addressed to enable clinical translation. This work reports the development and assessment (in vitro and in vivo) of a 3D bioprinting strategy to engineer mechanically-reinforced cartilaginous templates for large bone defect regeneration using human MSCs. Using distinct in vitro priming protocols, it was possible to generate cartilage grafts with altered phenotypes. More hypertrophic grafts, engineered in vitro using TGF-β3 and BMP-2, supported higher levels of blood vessel infiltration and accelerated bone regeneration in vivo. This study also identifies some of the advantages and disadvantages of such endochondral bone TE strategies over the direct delivery of BMP-2 from collagen-based scaffolds.
AUTHOR Hashimi, Noura Sayed Al and Soman, Soja Saghar and Govindharaj, Mano and Vijayavenkataraman, Sanjairaj
Title 3D printing of complex architected metamaterial structures by simple material extrusion for bone tissue engineering [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Materials Today Communications
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Abstract
Triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) are gaining popularity as scaffolds for bioapplications due to their unique structure, offering strong mechanical properties and biomorphic surfaces which enhance cell attachment and proliferation. In this work, polymer TPMS sheet lattices were printed using a well-known yet unprecedented technique of manufacturing such structures; which is material extrusion (specifically, pneumatic melt extrusion). This method offers a one step, straightforward yet reliable way to print complex porous structures while retaining design accuracy and significantly simplifying the process. Multiple primitive, gyroid and cubic structures were designed using MSLattice and Solidworks with 70% porosity and 2×2×3 unit cells. The scaffolds were printed by melt extrusion of polycaprolactone (PCL) at different parameters to establish the optimal settings. Morphological features (pore size and strut thickness) were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the accuracy of print was determined by comparing to the design, showing high print accuracy and minimal percentage errors of less than 15% in all prints. Uniaxial compression testing was used to demonstrate the different deformation processes of the scaffolds and evaluate their mechanical properties, with primitive having the highest modulus and gyroid the highest yield strength. Finally, cell viability was quantified by alamar blue cell viability assay and visualized by SEM, displaying significant increase in cell proliferation and attachment, specifically in the primitive structure. Herein we will explain the challenges faced with design and print optimization and how we overcame them, making this work the first of its kind in material extrusion (pneumatic melt extrusion) printing of TPMS scaffolds.
AUTHOR Hilgeroth, Philipp S. and Thümmler, Justus F. and Binder, Wolfgang H.
Title 3D Printing of Triamcinolone Acetonide in Triblock Copolymers of Styrene–Isobutylene–Styrene as a Slow-Release System [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Polymers
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Abstract
Additive manufacturing has a wide range of applications and has opened up new methods of drug formulation, in turn achieving attention in medicine. We prepared styrene–isobutylene–styrene triblock copolymers (SIBS; Mn = 10 kDa–25 kDa, PDI 1,3–1,6) as a drug carrier for triamcinolone acetonide (TA), further processed by fused deposition modeling to create a solid drug release system displaying improved bioavailability and applicability. Living carbocationic polymerization was used to exert control over block length and polymeric architecture. Thermorheological properties of the SIBS polymer (22.3 kDa, 38 wt % S) were adjusted to the printability of SIBS/TA mixtures (1–5% of TA), generating an effective release system effective for more than 60 days. Continuous drug release and morphological investigations were conducted to probe the influence of the 3D printing process on the drug release, enabling 3D printing as a formulation method for a slow-release system of Triamcinolone.
AUTHOR Du, Fanfan and Rupp, Harald and Jariyavidyanont, Katalee and Janke, Andreas and Petzold, Albrecht and Binder, Wolfgang and Androsch, René
Title 3D-printing of the polymer/insect-repellent system poly(l-lactic acid)/ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate (PLLA/IR3535) [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings International Journal of Pharmaceutics
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Abstract
The polymer/solvent system poly(l-lactic acid)/ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate (PLLA/IR3535) is regarded as an insect-repellent-delivery system, serving, e.g., for fighting mosquito-borne tropical diseases. In such systems the solid polymer hosts the liquid repellent, with the latter slowly released to the environment, expelling mosquitoes. As a new approach, exceeding prior work about application of different technologies to obtain such devices, in this work, samples of the polymer/repellent system PLLA/IR3535 were prepared by 3D-printing. The experiments showed that it is possible to print 3D-parts containing up to 25 m% repellent, with an only minor loss of repellent during the printing process. For samples containing low amount of repellent, crystallization of PLLA was suppressed due to the rather fast cooling step and the low bed temperature of around 25 °C, being lower than the glass transition temperature of the homogeneous polymer/repellent strands. At higher repellent concentration, due to the lowering of the glass transition temperature to near or even below ambient temperature, the crystallinity slowly increased during storage after printing. For all samples, regardless of the initial repellent concentration, the repellent-release rate increases with temperature, and at ambient temperature the release-time constant is in the order of 10 days. The study successfully proved the applicability of the technology of extrusion-based 3D-printing for the preparation of polymer parts with a specific shape/design containing mosquito-repellent at a concentration which raises the expectation to be used as a repellent delivery-device.
AUTHOR Dorjsuren, Dorjbal and Eastman, Richard T. and Song, Min Jae and Yasgar, Adam and Chen, Yuchi and Bharti, Kapil and Zakharov, Alexey V. and Jadhav, Ajit and Ferrer, Marc and Shi, Pei-Yong and Simeonov, Anton
Title A platform of assays for the discovery of anti-Zika small-molecules with activity in a 3D-bioprinted outer-blood-retina model [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings PLOS ONE
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
The global health emergency posed by the outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV), an arthropod-borne flavivirus causing severe neonatal neurological conditions, has subsided, but there continues to be transmission of ZIKV in endemic regions. As such, there is still a medical need for discovering and developing therapeutical interventions against ZIKV. To identify small-molecule compounds that inhibit ZIKV disease and transmission, we screened multiple small-molecule collections, mostly derived from natural products, for their ability to inhibit wild-type ZIKV. As a primary high-throughput screen, we used a viral cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition assay conducted in Vero cells that was optimized and miniaturized to a 1536-well format. Suitably active compounds identified from the primary screen were tested in a panel of orthogonal assays using recombinant Zika viruses, including a ZIKV Renilla luciferase reporter assay and a ZIKV mCherry reporter system. Compounds that were active in the wild-type ZIKV inhibition and ZIKV reporter assays were further evaluated for their inhibitory effects against other flaviviruses. Lastly, we demonstrated that wild-type ZIKV is able to infect a 3D-bioprinted outer-blood-retina barrier tissue model and disrupt its barrier function, as measured by electrical resistance. One of the identified compounds (3-Acetyl-13-deoxyphomenone, NCGC00380955) was able to prevent the pathological effects of the viral infection on this clinically relevant ZIKV infection model.
AUTHOR Hermanová, Soňa and Pumera, Martin
Title Biodegradable polyester platform for extrusion-based bioprinting [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Bioprinting
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DOI/URL URL DOI
Abstract
3D extrusion-based bioprinting has become an emerging tissue engineering technology to produce complex biomimetic structures for a reconstitution of living tissues. Simultaneous dispensing of two and more (bio)polymer materials affords the fabrication of functional 3D constructions displaying both bioactivity (bioink) and defined architecture and shape (scaffold frame). To fabricate biocompatible and biodegradable 3D scaffolds, aliphatic (co)polyesters are the materials of first choice. Recent progress has shown that the function of the polyester's frame can be expanded from contemporary mechanical support to a composite matrix with smart stimuli-responsive behavior. Consequently, it opens new avenues in the fabrication of multifunctional scaffolds, which can be designed as dynamic systems and/or delivery systems for bioactive molecules in situ. This minireview is focused on utilizing the most attractive representatives of aliphatic polyesters in the areas of bioartificial tissue/organ 3D and 4D bioprinting.
AUTHOR Daskalakis, Evangelos and Huang, Boyang and Vyas, Cian and Acar, Anil A. and Liu, Fengyuan and Fallah, Ali and Cooper, Glen and Weightman, Andrew and Blunn, Gordon and Koç, Bahattin and Bartolo, Paulo
Title Bone Bricks: The Effect of Architecture and Material Composition on the Mechanical and Biological Performance of Bone Scaffolds [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings ACS Omega
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
Large bone loss injuries require high-performance scaffolds with an architecture and material composition resembling native bone. However, most bone scaffold studies focus on three-dimensional (3D) structures with simple rectangular or circular geometries and uniform pores, not able to recapitulate the geometric characteristics of the native tissue. This paper addresses this limitation by proposing novel anatomically designed scaffolds (bone bricks) with nonuniform pore dimensions (pore size gradients) designed based on new lay-dawn pattern strategies. The gradient design allows one to tailor the properties of the bricks and together with the incorporation of ceramic materials allows one to obtain structures with high mechanical properties (higher than reported in the literature for the same material composition) and improved biological characteristics.
AUTHOR Cao, Chuanliang and Huang, Pengren and Prasopthum, Aruna and Parsons, Andrew J. and Ai, Fanrong and Yang, Jing
Title Characterisation of bone regeneration in 3D printed ductile PCL/PEG/hydroxyapatite scaffolds with high ceramic microparticle concentrations [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Biomater. Sci.
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
3D printed bioactive glass or bioceramic particle reinforced composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering currently suffer from low particle concentration (100% breaking strain) by adding poly(ethylene glycol) which is biocompatible and FDA approved. The scaffolds require no post-printing washing to remove hazardous components. More exposure of HA microparticles on strut surfaces is enabled by incorporating higher HA concentrations. Compared to scaffolds with 72 wt% HA{,} scaffolds with higher HA content (90 wt%) enhance matrix formation but not new bone volume after 12 weeks implantation in rat calvarial defects. Histological analyses demonstrate that bone regeneration within the 3D printed scaffolds is via intramembranous ossification and starts in the central region of pores. Fibrous tissue that resembles non-union tissue within bone fractures is formed within pores that do not have new bone. The amount of blood vessels is similar between scaffolds with mainly fibrous tissue and those with more bone tissue{,} suggesting vascularization is not a deciding factor for determining the type of tissues regenerated within the pores of 3D printed scaffolds. Multinucleated immune cells are commonly present in all scaffolds surrounding the struts{,} suggesting a role of managing inflammation in bone regeneration within 3D printed scaffolds.
AUTHOR Sarti, Mattia and Parlani, Maria and Diaz-Gomez, Luis and Mikos, Antonios G. and Cerveri, Pietro and Casarin, Stefano and Dondossola, Eleonora
Title Deep Learning for Automated Analysis of Cellular and Extracellular Components of the Foreign Body Response in Multiphoton Microscopy Images [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
The Foreign body response (FBR) is a major unresolved challenge that compromises medical implant integration and function by inflammation and fibrotic encapsulation. Mice implanted with polymeric scaffolds coupled to intravital non-linear multiphoton microscopy acquisition enable multiparametric, longitudinal investigation of the FBR evolution and interference strategies. However, follow-up analyses based on visual localization and manual segmentation are extremely time-consuming, subject to human error, and do not allow for automated parameter extraction. We developed an integrated computational pipeline based on an innovative and versatile variant of the U-Net neural network to segment and quantify cellular and extracellular structures of interest, which is maintained across different objectives without impairing accuracy. This software for automatically detecting the elements of the FBR shows promise to unravel the complexity of this pathophysiological process.
AUTHOR Parlani, Maria and Bedell, Matthew L. and Mikos, Antonios G. and Friedl, Peter and Dondossola, Eleonora
Title Dissecting the recruitment and self-organization of αSMA-positive fibroblasts in the foreign body response [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Science Advances
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
The foreign body response (FBR) is a clinically relevant issue that can cause malfunction of implanted medical devices by fibrotic encapsulation. Whereas inflammatory aspects of the FBR have been established, underlying fibroblast-dependent mechanisms remain unclear. We here combine multiphoton microscopy with ad hoc reporter mice expressing α–smooth muscle actin (αSMA) protein to determine the locoregional fibroblast dynamics, activation, and fibrotic encapsulation of polymeric materials. Fibroblasts invaded as individual cells and established a multicellular network, which transited to a two-compartment fibrotic response displaying an αSMA cold external capsule and a long-lasting, inner αSMA hot environment. The recruitment of fibroblasts and extent of fibrosis were only incompletely inhibited after depletion of macrophages, implicating coexistence of macrophage-dependent and macrophage-independent mediators. Furthermore, neither altering material type or porosity modulated αSMA+ cell recruitment and distribution. This identifies fibroblast activation and network formation toward a two-compartment FBR as a conserved, self-organizing process partially independent of macrophages. Fibroblast recruitment in the foreign body response is a conserved, self-organizing process partially independent of macrophages.
AUTHOR Helaehil, Júlia Venturini and Lourenço, Carina Basqueira and Huang, Boyang and Helaehil, Luiza Venturini and de Camargo, Isaque Xavier and Chiarotto, Gabriela Bortolança and Santamaria-Jr, Milton and Bártolo, Paulo and Caetano, Guilherme Ferreira
Title In Vivo Investigation of Polymer-Ceramic PCL/HA and PCL/β-TCP 3D Composite Scaffolds and Electrical Stimulation for Bone Regeneration [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Polymers
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DOI/URL URL DOI
Abstract
Critical bone defects are a major clinical challenge in reconstructive bone surgery. Polycaprolactone (PCL) mixed with bioceramics, such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP), create composite scaffolds with improved biological recognition and bioactivity. Electrical stimulation (ES) aims to compensate the compromised endogenous electrical signals and to stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation. We investigated the effects of composite scaffolds (PCL with HA; and PCL with β-TCP) and the use of ES on critical bone defects in Wistar rats using eight experimental groups: untreated, ES, PCL, PCL/ES, HA, HA/ES, TCP, and TCP/ES. The investigation was based on histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry, and gene expression analysis. The vascular area was greater in the HA/ES group on days 30 and 60. Tissue mineralization was greater in the HA, HA/ES, and TCP groups at day 30, and TCP/ES at day 60. Bmp-2 gene expression was higher in the HA, TCP, and TCP/ES groups at day 30, and in the TCP/ES and PCL/ES groups at day 60. Runx-2, Osterix, and Osteopontin gene expression were also higher in the TCP/ES group at day 60. These results suggest that scaffolds printed with PCL and TCP, when paired with electrical therapy application, improve bone regeneration.
AUTHOR Hou, Yanhao and Wang, Weiguang and Bartolo, Paulo
Title Investigation of polycaprolactone for bone tissue engineering scaffolds: in vitro degradation and biological studies [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Materials & Design
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Abstract
Polycaprolactone (PCL) is one of the most recognized polymeric materials used for bone tissue engineering scaffold fabrication. This study aims to evaluate the effects of the molecular weight (Mn) of PCL on the degradation kinematics, surface, microstructural, thermal, mechanical, and biological properties of 3D printed bone scaffolds. Surface properties were investigated considering water-in-air contact angle and nanoindentation tests, while morphological characteristics and degradation kinematics (accelerated degradation tests) were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), pairing with thermal and mechanical properties monitored at each considered time point. A set of mathematical equations describing the variation of fiber diameter, porosity, mechanical properties, and weight, as a function of molecular weight and degradation time, were obtained based on the experimental results. Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) proliferation and differentiation tests were also conducted using in vitro colorimetric assay. All results indicated that molecular weight had impacts on the surface, mechanical and biological properties of PCL scaffolds, while no significant effects were observed on the degradation rate. Scaffolds with lower molecular weight presented better bio-mechanical properties. These findings provide useful information for the design of polymeric bone tissue engineering scaffolds.
AUTHOR Lai, Jiahui and Wang, Chong and Liu, Jia and Chen, Shangsi and Liu, Chaoyu and Huang, Xiangxuan and Wu, Jing and Pan, Yue and Xie, Yuancai and Wang, Min
Title Low temperature hybrid 3D printing of hierarchically porous bone tissue engineering scaffolds with in situ delivery of osteogenic peptide and mesenchymal stem cells [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Biofabrication
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
Compared to other conventional scaffold fabrication techniques, three-dimensional (3D) printing is advantageous in producing bone tissue engineering scaffolds with customized shape, tailored pore size/porosity, required mechanical properties and even desirable biomolecule delivery capability. However, for scaffolds with a large volume, it is highly difficult to get seeded cells to migrate to the central region of the scaffolds, resulting in an inhomogeneous cell distribution and therefore lowering the bone forming ability. To overcome this major obstacle, in this study, cell-laden bone tissue engineering scaffolds consisting of osteogenic peptide (OP) loaded β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP)/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) (OP/TCP/PLGA, designated as OTP) nanocomposite struts and rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cell (rBMSC)-laden gelatin/GelMA hydrogel rods were produced through ‘dual-nozzle’ low temperature hybrid 3D printing. The cell-laden scaffolds exhibited a bi-phasic structure and had a mechanical modulus of about 19.6 MPa, which was similar to that of human cancellous bone. OP can be released from the hybrid scaffolds in a sustained manner and achieved a cumulative release level of about 78% after 24 d. rBMSCs encapsulated in the hydrogel rods exhibited a cell viability of about 87.4% right after low temperature hybrid 3D printing and could be released from the hydrogel rods to achieve cell anchorage on the surface of adjacent OTP struts. The OP released from OTP struts enhanced rBMSCs proliferation. Compared to rBMSC-laden hybrid scaffolds without OP incorporation, the rBMSC-laden hybrid scaffolds incorporated with OP significantly up-regulated osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs by showing a higher level of alkaline phosphatase expression and calcium deposition. This ‘proof-of-concept’ study has provided a facile method to form cell-laden bone tissue engineering scaffolds with not only required mechanical strength, biomimetic structure and sustained biomolecule release profile but also excellent cell delivery capability with uniform cell distribution, which can improve the bone forming ability in the body.
AUTHOR Włodarczyk-Biegun, Małgorzata K. and Villiou, Maria and Koch, Marcus and Muth, Christina and Wang, Peixi and Ott, Jenna and del Campo, Aranzazu
Title Melt Electrowriting of Graded Porous Scaffolds to Mimic the Matrix Structure of the Human Trabecular Meshwork [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
The permeability of the human trabecular meshwork (HTM) regulates eye pressure via a porosity gradient across its thickness modulated by stacked layers of matrix fibrils and cells. Changes in HTM porosity are associated with increases in intraocular pressure and the progress of diseases such as glaucoma. Engineered HTMs could help to understand the structure–function relation in natural tissues and lead to new regenerative solutions. Here, melt electrowriting (MEW) is explored as a biofabrication technique to produce fibrillar, porous scaffolds that mimic the multilayer, gradient structure of native HTM. Poly(caprolactone) constructs with a height of 125–500 μm and fiber diameters of 10–12 μm are printed. Scaffolds with a tensile modulus between 5.6 and 13 MPa and a static compression modulus in the range of 6–360 kPa are obtained by varying the scaffold design, that is, the density and orientation of the fibers and number of stacked layers. Primary HTM cells attach to the scaffolds, proliferate, and form a confluent layer within 8–14 days, depending on the scaffold design. High cell viability and cell morphology close to that in the native tissue are observed. The present work demonstrates the utility of MEW for reconstructing complex morphological features of natural tissues.
AUTHOR Abbasi, Akram and Imaichi, Sachiko and Ling, Vincent and Shukla, Anita
Title Mesenchymal Stem Cell Behavior on Soft Hydrogels with Aligned Surface Topographies [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings ACS Appl. Bio Mater.
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
Human mesenchymal stem cells (HMSCs) are important for cell-based therapies. However, the success of HMSC therapy requires large-scale in vitro expansion of these multipotent cells. The traditional expansion of HMSCs on tissue-culture-treated stiff polystyrene induces significant changes in their shape, multipotency, and secretome, leading to early senescence and subdued paracrine activity. To enhance their therapeutic potential, here, we have developed two-dimensional soft hydrogels with imprinted microscale aligned grooves for use as HMSC culture substrates. We showed that, depending on the dimensions of the topographical features, these substrates led to lower cellular spreading and cytoskeletal tension, maintaining multipotency and osteogenic and adipogenic differentiate potential, while lowering cellular senescence. We also observed a greater capacity of HMSCs to produce anti-inflammatory cytokines after short-term priming on these hydrogel substrates. Overall, these soft hydrogels with unique surface topography have shown great promise as in vitro culture substrates to maximize the therapeutic potential of HMSCs.
AUTHOR Daskalakis, Evangelos and Huang, Boyang and Vyas, Cian and Acar, Anil Ahmet and Fallah, Ali and Cooper, Glen and Weightman, Andrew and Koc, Bahattin and Blunn, Gordon and Bartolo, Paulo
Title Novel 3D Bioglass Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Regeneration [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Polymers
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DOI/URL URL DOI
Abstract
The design of scaffolds with optimal biomechanical properties for load-bearing applications is an important topic of research. Most studies have addressed this problem by focusing on the material composition and not on the coupled effect between the material composition and the scaffold architecture. Polymer–bioglass scaffolds have been investigated due to the excellent bioactivity properties of bioglass, which release ions that activate osteogenesis. However, material preparation methods usually require the use of organic solvents that induce surface modifications on the bioglass particles, compromising the adhesion with the polymeric material thus compromising mechanical properties. In this paper, we used a simple melt blending approach to produce polycaprolactone/bioglass pellets to construct scaffolds with pore size gradient. The results show that the addition of bioglass particles improved the mechanical properties of the scaffolds and, due to the selected architecture, all scaffolds presented mechanical properties in the cortical bone region. Moreover, the addition of bioglass indicated a positive long-term effect on the biological performance of the scaffolds. The pore size gradient also induced a cell spreading gradient.
AUTHOR Rupp, Harald and Bhandary, Rajesh and Kulkarni, Amit and Binder, Wolfgang
Title Printable Electrolytes: Tuning 3D-Printing by Multiple Hydrogen Bonds and Added Inorganic Lithium-Salts [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Advanced Materials Technologies
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
Abstract Here, the 3D-printing of supramolecular polymer electrolytes is reported, able to be manufactured via 3D-printing processes, additionally dynamically compensating for volume changes. A careful mechanical design, in addition to rheological effects observed for different additives to the electrolyte, is investigated and adjusted, in order to achieve printability via an extrusion process to generate a conductive electrode material. Qudruple-hydrogen bonds (UPy) act as supramolecular entities for the desired dynamic properties to adjust printability, in addition to added LiTFSi-salts to achieve ionic conductivities of ≈10–4 S cm–1 at T = 80 °C. Three different telechelic UPy-PEO/PPO-UPy-polymers with molecular weights ranging from Mn = 600–1500 g mol−1 were investigated in view of their 3D-printability by FDM-processes. It is found that there are three effects counterbalancing the rheological properties of the polymers: besides temperatures, which can be used as a known tool to adjust melt-rheology, also the addition of lithium-salts in junction with the polymers crystallinity exerts a major toolbox to 3D-print these electrolytes. Using specific compositions with Li/EO-ratios from 20:1, 10:1, and 5:1, the rheological profile can be adjusted to reach the required printability window. AT-IR-investigations clearly indicate a weakening of the UPy-bonds by the added Li+ ions, in addition to a reduction of the crystallinity of the PEO-units, further changing the rheological profile. The so generated electrolytes are printable systems for novel electrolytes.
AUTHOR Eichholz, Kian and Freeman, Fiona and Pitacco, Pierluca and Nulty, Jessica and Ahern, Daniel and Burdis, Ross and Browe, David and Garcia, Orquidea and Hoey, David and Kelly, Daniel John
Title Scaffold microarchitecture regulates angiogenesis and the regeneration of large bone defects [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Biofabrication
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
Emerging 3D printing technologies can provide exquisite control over the external shape and internal architecture of scaffolds and tissue engineered constructs, enabling systematic studies to explore how geometric design features influence the regenerative process. Here we used fused deposition modelling (FDM) and melt electrowriting (MEW) to investigate how scaffold microarchitecture influences the healing of large bone defects. FDM was used to fabricate scaffolds with relatively large fibre diameters and low porosities, while MEW was used to fabricate scaffolds with smaller fibre diameters and higher porosities, with both scaffolds being designed to have comparable surface areas. Scaffold microarchitecture significantly influenced the healing response following implantation into critically sized femoral defects in rats, with the FDM scaffolds supporting the formation of larger bone spicules through its pores, while the MEW scaffolds supported the formation of a more round bone front during healing. After 12 weeks in vivo, both MEW and FDM scaffolds supported significantly higher levels of defect vascularisation compared to empty controls, while the MEW scaffolds supported higher levels of new bone formation. Somewhat surprisingly, this superior healing in the MEW group did not correlate with higher levels of angiogenesis, with the FDM scaffold supporting greater total vessel formation and the formation of larger vessels, while the MEW scaffold promoted the formation of a dense microvasculature with minimal evidence of larger vessels infiltrating the defect region. To conclude, the small fibre diameter, high porosity and high specific surface area of the MEW scaffold proved beneficial for osteogenesis and bone regeneration, demonstrating that changes in scaffold architecture enabled by this additive manufacturing technique can dramatically modulate angiogenesis and tissue regeneration without the need for complex exogenous growth factors. These results provide a valuable insight into the importance of 3D printed scaffold architecture when developing new bone tissue engineering strategies.
AUTHOR Constante, Gissela and Apsite, Indra and Auerbach, Paul and Aland, Sebastian and Schönfeld, Dennis and Pretsch, Thorsten and Milkin, Pavel and Ionov, Leonid
Title Smart Mechanically Tunable Surfaces with Shape Memory Behavior and Wetting-Programmable Topography [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces
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Abstract
This paper reports for the first time the fabrication and investigation of wetting properties of structured surfaces formed by lamellae with an exceptionally high aspect ratio of up to 57:1 and more. The lamellar surfaces were fabricated using a polymer with tunable mechanical properties and shape-memory behavior. It was found that wetting properties of such structured surfaces depend on temperature, and thermal treatment history-structured surfaces are wetted easier at elevated temperature or after cooling to room temperature when the polymer is soft because of the easier deformability of lamellae. The shape of lamellae deformed by droplets can be temporarily fixed at low temperature and remains fixed upon heating to room temperature. Heating above the transition temperature of the shape-memory polymer restores the original shape. The high aspect ratio allows tuning of geometry not only manually, as it is done in most works reported previously but can also be made by a liquid droplet and is controlled by temperature. This behavior opens new opportunities for the design of novel smart elements for microfluidic devices such as smart valves, whose state and behavior can be switched by thermal stimuli: valves that can or cannot be opened that are able to close or can be fixed in an open or closed states.
AUTHOR Burdis, Ross and Chariyev-Prinz, Farhad and Browe, David C. and Freeman, Fiona E. and Nulty, Jessica and McDonnell, Emily E. and Eichholz, Kian F. and Wang, Bin and Brama, Pieter and Kelly, Daniel J.
Title Spatial patterning of phenotypically distinct microtissues to engineer osteochondral grafts for biological joint resurfacing [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Biomaterials
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Abstract
Modular biofabrication strategies using microtissues or organoids as biological building blocks have great potential for engineering replacement tissues and organs at scale. Here we describe the development of a biofabrication strategy to engineer osteochondral tissues by spatially localising phenotypically distinct cartilage microtissues within an instructive 3D printed polymer framework. We first demonstrate that immature cartilage microtissues can spontaneously fuse to form homogeneous macrotissues, and that combining less cellular microtissues results in superior fusion and the generation of a more hyaline-like cartilage containing higher levels of sulphated glycosaminoglycans and type II collagen. Furthermore, temporally exposing developing microtissues to transforming growth factor-β accelerates their volumetric growth and subsequent capacity to fuse into larger hyaline cartilage grafts. Next, 3D printed polymeric frameworks are used to further guide microtissue fusion and the subsequent self-organisation process, resulting in the development of a macroscale tissue with zonal collagen organisation analogous to the structure seen in native articular cartilage. To engineer osteochondral grafts, hypertrophic cartilage microtissues are engineered as bone precursor tissues and spatially localised below phenotypically stable cartilage microtissues. Implantation of these engineered grafts into critically-sized caprine osteochondral defects results in effective defect stabilisation and histologically supports the restoration of a more normal articular surface after 6 months in vivo. These findings support the use of such modular biofabrication strategies for biological joint resurfacing.
AUTHOR Hatt, Luan P. and Armiento, Angela R. and Mys, Karen and Thompson, Keith and Hildebrand, Maria and Nehrbass, Dirk and Müller, Werner E. G. and Zeiter, Stephan and Eglin, David and Stoddart, Martin J.
Title Standard in vitro evaluations of engineered bone substitutes are not sufficient to predict in vivo preclinical model outcomes [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Acta Biomaterialia
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Abstract
Understanding the optimal conditions required for bone healing can have a substantial impact to target the problem of non–unions and large bone defects. The combination of bioactive factors, regenerative progenitor cells and biomaterials to form a tissue engineered (TE) complex is a promising solution but translation to the clinic has been slow. We hypothesized the typical material testing algorithm used is insufficient and leads to materials being mischaracterized as promising. In the first part of this study, human bone marrow – derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBM-MSCs) were embedded in three commonly used biomaterials (hyaluronic acid methacrylate, gelatin methacrylate and fibrin) and combined with relevant bioactive osteogenesis factors (dexamethasone microparticles and polyphosphate nanoparticles) to form a TE construct that underwent in vitro osteogenic differentiation for 28 days. Gene expression of relevant transcription factors and osteogenic markers, and von Kossa staining were performed. In the second and third part of this study, the same combination of TE constructs were implanted subcutaneously (cell containing) in T cell-deficient athymic Crl:NIH-Foxn1rnu rats for 8 weeks or cell free in an immunocompetent New Zealand white rabbit calvarial model for 6 weeks, respectively. Osteogenic performance was investigated via MicroCT imaging and histology staining. The in vitro study showed enhanced upregulation of relevant genes and significant mineral deposition within the three biomaterials, generally considered as a positive result. Subcutaneous implantation indicates none to minor ectopic bone formation. No enhanced calvarial bone healing was detected in implanted biomaterials compared to the empty defect. The reasons for the poor correlation of in vitro and in vivo outcomes are unclear and needs further investigation. This study highlights the discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo outcomes, demonstrating that in vitro data should be interpreted with extreme caution. In vitro models with higher complexity are necessary to increase value for translational studies. Statement of significance Preclinical testing of newly developed biomaterials is a crucial element of the development cycle. Despite this, there is still significant discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo test results. Within this study we investigate multiple combinations of materials and osteogenic stimulants and demonstrate a poor correlation between the in vitro and in vivo data. We propose rationale for why this may be the case and suggest a modified testing algorithm.
AUTHOR Ramezani Dana, Hossein and Ebrahimi, Farnoosh
Title Synthesis, properties, and applications of polylactic acid-based polymers [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Polymer Engineering & Science
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Abstract
Abstract Polylactic acid (PLA) is known as one of the greatest promising bioabsorbable and compostable polyesters with the capability of high molecular weight synthesis. Lactic acid condensation, azeotropic dehydration, and condensation ring-open polymerize of lactide are three methods for PLA polymerization. Comprehension of material properties is critical for choosing the right processing method and adjusting PLA characteristics. A variety of mechanical properties of this material, from soft and elastic to stiff and high strength makes PLA suitable for a wide range of applications. Besides, PLA can be blended or copolymerized with other polymeric or non-polymeric substances. Thus, this polymer can achieve suitable chemical, mechanical, and rheological properties. Understanding the role of these properties and selecting a suitable processing technique is necessary for its intended consumer and various applications. This study elaborated a general summary of the polymerization, processing, and characteristics of PLA (i.e., structural diversities, rheological performances, mechanical properties, and permeability). Besides, this work presented some information regarding essential factors that can be used for modifying PLA properties to address the requirements for various applications such as biomedical, food packing, biocomposite, and additive manufacturing.
AUTHOR Zhang, Xiao and Liu, Yang and Zuo, Qiang and Wang, Qingyun and Li, Zuxi and Yan, Kai and Yuan, Tao and Zhang, Yi and Shen, Kai and Xie, Rui and Fan, Weimin
Title 3D Bioprinting of Biomimetic Bilayered Scaffold Consisting of Decellularized Extracellular Matrix and Silk Fibroin for Osteochondral Repair [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings International Journal of Bioprinting; Vol 7, No 4 (2021)
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DOI/URL URL DOI
Abstract
Recently, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology is becoming an appealing approach for osteochondral repair. However, it is challenging to develop a bilayered scaffold with anisotropic structural properties to mimic a native osteochondral tissue. Herein, we developed a bioink consisting of decellularized extracellular matrix and silk fibroin to print the bilayered scaffold. The bilayered scaffold mimics the natural osteochondral tissue by controlling the composition, mechanical properties, and growth factor release in each layer of the scaffold. The in vitro results show that each layer of scaffolds had a suitable mechanical strength and degradation rate. Furthermore, the scaffolds encapsulating transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) can act as a controlled release system and promote directed differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Furthermore, the in vivo experiments suggested that the scaffolds loaded with growth factors promoted osteochondral regeneration in the rabbit knee joint model. Consequently, the biomimetic bilayered scaffold loaded with TGF-β and BMP-2 would be a promising strategy for osteochondral repair.
AUTHOR Nulty, Jessica and Freeman, Fiona E. and Browe, David C. and Burdis, Ross and Ahern, Daniel P. and Pitacco, Pierluca and Lee, Yu Bin and Alsberg, Eben and Kelly, Daniel J.
Title 3D Bioprinting of prevascularised implants for the repair of critically-sized bone defects [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Acta Biomaterialia
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DOI/URL URL DOI
Abstract
For 3D bioprinted tissues to be scaled-up to clinically relevant sizes, effective prevascularisation strategies are required to provide the necessary nutrients for normal metabolism and to remove associated waste by-products. The aim of this study was to develop a bioprinting strategy to engineer prevascularised tissues in vitro and to investigate the capacity of such constructs to enhance the vascularisation and regeneration of large bone defects in vivo. From a screen of different bioinks, a fibrin-based hydrogel was found to best support human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) sprouting and the establishment of a microvessel network. When this bioink was combined with HUVECs and supporting human bone marrow stem/stromal cells (hBMSCs), these microvessel networks persisted in vitro. Furthermore, only bioprinted tissues containing both HUVECs and hBMSCs, that were first allowed to mature in vitro, supported robust blood vessel development in vivo. To assess the therapeutic utility of this bioprinting strategy, these bioinks were used to prevascularise 3D printed polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds, which were subsequently implanted into critically-sized femoral bone defects in rats. Microcomputed tomography (µCT) angiography revealed increased levels of vascularisation in vivo, which correlated with higher levels of new bone formation. Such prevascularised constructs could be used to enhance the vascularisation of a range of large tissue defects, forming the basis of multiple new bioprinted therapeutics. Statement of Significance This paper demonstrates a versatile 3D bioprinting technique to improve the vascularisation of tissue engineered constructs and further demonstrates how this method can be incorporated into a bone tissue engineering strategy to improve vascularisation in a rat femoral defect model.
AUTHOR Francesca Cestari and Mauro Petretta and Yuejiao Yang and Antonella Motta and Brunella Grigolo and Vincenzo M. Sglavo
Title 3D printing of PCL/nano-hydroxyapatite scaffolds derived from biogenic sources for bone tissue engineering [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Sustainable Materials and Technologies
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Abstract
Bioactive composites made of ∽85 wt% poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and ∽15 wt% nanometric hydroxyapatite (HA) produced from biogenic sources were 3D printed by an extrusion-based process to obtain porous scaffolds suitable for bone regeneration. Three different composite formulations were considered by using HA synthesized from three distinct natural sources, which were collected as food wastes: cuttlefish bones, mussel shells and chicken eggshells. Composition and thermal properties of the materials were analysed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and x-ray spectroscopy (XRD), while the morphological and mechanical properties of the 3D scaffolds were studied by means of electron microscopy (SEM) and compression tests. Bioactivity was tested by seeding human osteoblast cell line (MG63) onto the scaffolds which were analysed by confocal microscopy and Alamar Blue and PicoGreen® tests after 1 to 7 culture days. The elastic modulus (177–316 MPa) is found to be within the range reported for typical trabecular bones being increased by the presence of the bio-HA particles. Moreover, cells adhesion, viability and proliferation are largely promoted in the scaffolds containing nanometric HA with respect to pure PCL, the best results being revealed when mussel shell-derived HA is used. Indeed, different biological sources result in different cell proliferation rates, pointing that the biological origin has an impact on the cells-scaffold interaction. In general, the results show that PCL/bio-HA scaffolds possess improved mechanical properties and enhanced bioactivity when compared with pure PCL ones.
AUTHOR Vyas, Cian and Zhang, Jun and Øvrebø, Øystein and Huang, Boyang and Roberts, Iwan and Setty, Mohan and Allardyce, Benjamin and Haugen, Håvard and Rajkhowa, Rangam and Bartolo, Paulo
Title 3D printing of silk microparticle reinforced polycaprolactone scaffolds for tissue engineering applications [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Materials Science and Engineering: C
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Abstract
Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds have been widely investigated for tissue engineering applications, however, they exhibit poor cell adhesion and mechanical properties. Subsequently, PCL composites have been produced to improve the material properties. This study utilises a natural material, Bombyx mori silk microparticles (SMP) prepared by milling silk fibre, to produce a composite to enhance the scaffolds properties. Silk is biocompatible and biodegradable with excellent mechanical properties. However, there are no studies using SMPs as a reinforcing agent in a 3D printed thermoplastic polymer scaffold. PCL/SMP (10, 20, 30 wt%) composites were prepared by melt blending. Rheological analysis showed that SMP loading increased the shear thinning and storage modulus of the material. Scaffolds were fabricated using a screw-assisted extrusion-based additive manufacturing system. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microtomography was used to determine scaffold morphology. The scaffolds had high interconnectivity with regular printed fibres and pore morphologies within the designed parameters. Compressive mechanical testing showed that the addition of SMP significantly improved the compressive Young's modulus of the scaffolds. The scaffolds were more hydrophobic with the inclusion of SMP which was linked to a decrease in total protein adsorption. Cell behaviour was assessed using human adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells. A cytotoxic effect was observed at higher particle loading (30 wt%) after 7 days of culture. By day 21, 10 wt% loading showed significantly higher cell metabolic activity and proliferation, high cell viability, and cell migration throughout the scaffold. Calcium mineral deposition was observed on the scaffolds during cell culture. Large calcium mineral deposits were observed at 30 wt% and smaller calcium deposits were observed at 10 wt%. This study demonstrates that SMPs incorporated into a PCL scaffold provided effective mechanical reinforcement, improved the rate of degradation, and increased cell proliferation, demonstrating potential suitability for bone tissue engineering applications.
AUTHOR Golafshan, Nasim and Willemsen, Koen and Kadumudi, Firoz Babu and Vorndran, Elke and Dolatshahi-Pirouz, Alireza and Weinans, Harrie and van der Wal, Bart C. H. and Malda, Jos and Castilho, Miguel
Title 3D-Printed Regenerative Magnesium Phosphate Implant Ensures Stability and Restoration of Hip Dysplasia [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Advanced Healthcare Materials
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Abstract
Abstract Osteoarthritis of the hip is a painful and debilitating condition commonly occurring in humans and dogs. One of the main causes that leads to hip osteoarthritis is hip dysplasia. Although the current surgical methods to correct dysplasia work satisfactorily in many circumstances, these are associated with serious complications, tissue resorption, and degeneration. In this study, a one-step fabrication of a regenerative hip implant with a patient-specific design and load-bearing properties is reported. The regenerative hip implant is fabricated based on patient imaging files and by an extrusion assisted 3D printing process using a flexible, bone-inducing biomaterial. The novel implant can be fixed with metallic screws to host bone and can be loaded up to physiological loads without signs of critical permanent deformation or failure. Moreover, after exposing the hip implant to accelerated in vitro degradation, it is confirmed that it is still able to support physiological loads even after losing ≈40% of its initial mass. In addition, the osteopromotive properties of the novel hip implant is demonstrated as shown by an increased expression of osteonectin and osteocalcin by cultured human mesenchymal stem cells after 21 days. Overall, the proposed hip implant provides an innovative regenerative and mechanically stable solution for hip dysplasia treatment.
AUTHOR Otto, I. A. and Capendale, P. E. and Garcia, J. P. and de Ruijter, M. and van Doremalen, R. F. M. and Castilho, M. and Lawson, T. and Grinstaff, M. W. and Breugem, C. C. and Kon, M. and Levato, R. and Malda, J.
Title Biofabrication of a shape-stable auricular structure for the reconstruction of ear deformities [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Materials Today Bio
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Abstract
Bioengineering of the human auricle remains a significant challenge, where the complex and unique shape, the generation of high-quality neocartilage, and shape preservation are key factors. Future regenerative medicine–based approaches for auricular cartilage reconstruction will benefit from a smart combination of various strategies. Our approach to fabrication of an ear-shaped construct uses hybrid bioprinting techniques, a recently identified progenitor cell population, previously validated biomaterials, and a smart scaffold design. Specifically, we generated a 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold via fused deposition modeling, photocrosslinked a human auricular cartilage progenitor cell–laden gelatin methacryloyl (gelMA) hydrogel within the scaffold, and cultured the bioengineered structure in vitro in chondrogenic media for 30 days. Our results show that the fabrication process maintains the viability and chondrogenic phenotype of the cells, that the compressive properties of the combined PCL and gelMA hybrid auricular constructs are similar to native auricular cartilage, and that biofabricated hybrid auricular structures exhibit excellent shape fidelity compared with the 3D digital model along with deposition of cartilage-like matrix in both peripheral and central areas of the auricular structure. Our strategy affords an anatomically enhanced auricular structure with appropriate mechanical properties, ensures adequate preservation of the auricular shape during a dynamic in vitro culture period, and enables chondrogenically potent progenitor cells to produce abundant cartilage-like matrix throughout the auricular construct. The combination of smart scaffold design with 3D bioprinting and cartilage progenitor cells holds promise for the development of clinically translatable regenerative medicine strategies for auricular reconstruction.
AUTHOR Nulty, Jessica and Burdis, Ross and Kelly, Daniel J.
Title Biofabrication of Prevascularised Hypertrophic Cartilage Microtissues for Bone Tissue Engineering [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
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Abstract
Bone tissue engineering (TE) has the potential to transform the treatment of challenging musculoskeletal pathologies. To date, clinical translation of many traditional TE strategies has been impaired by poor vascularisation of the implant. Addressing such challenges has motivated research into developmentally inspired TE strategies, whereby implants mimicking earlier stages of a tissue’s development are engineered in vitro and then implanted in vivo to fully mature into the adult tissue. The goal of this study was to engineer in vitro tissues mimicking the immediate developmental precursor to long bones, specifically a vascularised hypertrophic cartilage template, and to then assess the capacity of such a construct to support endochondral bone formation in vivo. To this end, we first developed a method for the generation of large numbers of hypertrophic cartilage microtissues using a microwell system, and encapsulated these microtissues into a fibrin-based hydrogel capable of supporting vasculogenesis by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The microwells supported the formation of bone marrow derived stem/stromal cell (BMSC) aggregates and their differentiation toward a hypertrophic cartilage phenotype over 5 weeks of cultivation, as evident by the development of a matrix rich in sulphated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG), collagen types I, II, and X, and calcium. Prevascularisation of these microtissues, undertaken in vitro 1 week prior to implantation, enhanced their capacity to mineralise, with significantly higher levels of mineralised tissue observed within such implants after 4 weeks in vivo within an ectopic murine model for bone formation. It is also possible to integrate such microtissues into 3D bioprinting systems, thereby enabling the bioprinting of scaled-up, patient-specific prevascularised implants. Taken together, these results demonstrate the development of an effective strategy for prevascularising a tissue engineered construct comprised of multiple individual microtissue “building blocks,” which could potentially be used in the treatment of challenging bone defects.
AUTHOR Burdis, Ross and Chariyev-Prinz, Farhad and Kelly, Daniel J.
Title Bioprinting of biomimetic self-organised cartilage with a supporting joint fixation device [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Biofabrication
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Despite sustained efforts, engineering truly biomimetic articular cartilage (AC) via traditional top-down approaches remains challenging. Emerging biofabrication strategies, from 3D bioprinting to scaffold-free approaches that leverage principles of cellular self-organisation, are generating significant interest in the field of cartilage tissue engineering as a means of developing biomimetic tissue analogues in vitro. Although such strategies have advanced the quality of engineered cartilage, recapitulation of many key structural features of native AC, in particular a collagen network mimicking the tissue’s ‘Benninghoff arcade’, remains elusive. Additionally, a complete solution to fixating engineered cartilages in situ within damaged synovial joints has yet to be identified. This study sought to address both of these key challenges by engineering biomimetic AC within a device designed to anchor the tissue within a synovial joint defect. We first designed and fabricated a fixation device capable of anchoring engineered cartilage into the subchondral bone. Next, we developed a strategy for inkjet printing porcine mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) into this supporting fixation device, which was also designed to provide instructive cues to direct the self-organisation of MSC condensations towards a stratified engineered AC. We found that a higher starting cell-density supported the development of a more zonally defined collagen network within the engineered tissue. Dynamic culture was implemented to further enhance the quality of this engineered tissue, resulting in an approximate 3 fold increase in glycosaminoglycan and collagen accumulation. Ultimately this strategy supported the development of AC that exhibited near-native levels of glycosaminoglycan accumulation (>5% WW), as well as a biomimetic collagen network organisation with a perpendicular to a parallel fibre arrangement (relative to the tissue surface) from the deep to superficial zones via arcading fibres within the middle zone of the engineered tissue. Collectively, this work demonstrates the successful convergence of novel biofabrication methods, bioprinting strategies and culture regimes to engineer a hybrid implant suited to resurfacing AC defects.
AUTHOR Petretta, Mauro and Gambardella, Alessandro and Boi, Marco and Berni, Matteo and Cavallo, Carola and Marchiori, Gregorio and Maltarello, Maria Cristina and Bellucci, Devis and Fini, Milena and Baldini, Nicola and Grigolo, Brunella and Cannillo, Valeria
Title Composite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Regeneration Based on PCL and Mg-Containing Bioactive Glasses [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Biology
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Polycaprolactone (PCL) is widely used in additive manufacturing for the construction of scaffolds for tissue engineering because of its good bioresorbability, biocompatibility, and processability. Nevertheless, its use is limited by its inadequate mechanical support, slow degradation rate and the lack of bioactivity and ability to induce cell adhesion and, thus, bone tissue regeneration. In this study, we fabricated 3D PCL scaffolds reinforced with a novel Mg-doped bioactive glass (Mg-BG) characterized by good mechanical properties and biological reactivity. An optimization of the printing parameters and scaffold fabrication was performed; furthermore, an extensive microtopography characterization by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy was carried out. Nano-indentation tests accounted for the mechanical properties of the scaffolds, whereas SBF tests and cytotoxicity tests using human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) were performed to evaluate the bioactivity and in vitro viability. Our results showed that a 50/50 wt% of the polymer-to-glass ratio provides scaffolds with a dense and homogeneous distribution of Mg-BG particles at the surface and roughness twice that of pure PCL scaffolds. Compared to pure PCL (hardness H = 35 ± 2 MPa and Young’s elastic modulus E = 0.80 ± 0.05 GPa), the 50/50 wt% formulation showed H = 52 ± 11 MPa and E = 2.0 ± 0.2 GPa, hence, it was close to those of trabecular bone. The high level of biocompatibility, bioactivity, and cell adhesion encourages the use of the composite PCL/Mg-BG scaffolds in promoting cell viability and supporting mechanical loading in the host trabecular bone.
AUTHOR Bello, Thomas and Paindelli, Claudia and Diaz-Gomez, Luis A. and Melchiorri, Anthony and Mikos, Antonios G. and Nelson, Peter S. and Dondossola, Eleonora and Gujral, Taranjit S.
Title Computational modeling identifies multitargeted kinase inhibitors as effective therapies for metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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Metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is an advanced prostate cancer with limited therapeutic options and poor patient outcomes. To investigate whether multitargeted kinase inhibitors (KIs) represent an opportunity for mCRPC drug development, we applied machine learning{textendash}based functional screening and identified two KIs, PP121 and SC-1, which demonstrated strong suppression of CRPC growth in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we show the marked ability of these KIs to improve on standard-of-care chemotherapy in both tumor response and survival, suggesting that combining multitargeted KIs with chemotherapy represents a promising avenue for mCRPC treatment. Overall, our findings demonstrate the application of a multidisciplinary strategy that blends bench science with machine-learning approaches for rapidly identifying KIs that result in desired phenotypic effects.Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is an advanced subtype of prostate cancer with limited therapeutic options. Here, we applied a systems-based modeling approach called kinome regularization (KiR) to identify multitargeted kinase inhibitors (KIs) that abrogate CRPC growth. Two predicted KIs, PP121 and SC-1, suppressed CRPC growth in two-dimensional in vitro experiments and in vivo subcutaneous xenografts. An ex vivo bone mimetic environment and in vivo tibia xenografts revealed resistance to these KIs in bone. Combining PP121 or SC-1 with docetaxel, standard-of-care chemotherapy for late-stage CRPC, significantly reduced tibia tumor growth in vivo, decreased growth factor signaling, and vastly extended overall survival, compared to either docetaxel monotherapy. These results highlight the utility of computational modeling in forming physiologically relevant predictions and provide evidence for the role of multitargeted KIs as chemosensitizers for late-stage, metastatic CRPC.All study data are included in the article and/or supporting information.
AUTHOR Dai, Michèle and Belaïdi, Jean-Philippe and Fleury, Guillaume and Garanger, Elisabeth and Rielland, Maïté and Schultze, Xavier and Lecommandoux, Sébastien
Title Elastin-like Polypeptide-Based Bioink: A Promising Alternative for 3D Bioprinting
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Biomacromolecules
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AUTHOR Paindelli, Claudia and Casarin, Stefano and Wang, Feng and Diaz-Gomez, Luis and Zhang, Jianhua and Mikos, Antonios G. and Logothetis, Christopher J. and Friedl, Peter and Dondossola, Eleonora
Title Enhancing Radium 223 treatment efficacy by anti-beta 1 integrin targeting [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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Radium 223 (223Ra) is an α-emitter approved for the treatment of bone metastatic prostate cancer (PCa), which exerts direct cytotoxicity towards PCa cells near the bone interface, whereas cells positioned in the core respond poorly, due to short α-particle penetrance. β1 integrin (β1I) interference has been shown to increase radiosensitivity and significantly enhance external beam radiation efficiency. We hypothesized that targeting β1I would improve 223Ra outcome. We tested the effect of combining 223Ra and anti-β1I antibody treatment in PC3 and C4-2B PCa cell models expressing high and low β1I levels, respectively. In vivo tumor growth was evaluated through bioluminescence. Cellular and molecular determinants of response were analyzed by ex vivo three-dimensional imaging of bone lesions, proteomic analysis and further confirmed by computational modeling and in vitro functional analysis in tissue-engineered bone mimetic systems. Interference with β1I combined with 223Ra reduced PC3 cell growth in bone and significantly improved overall mouse survival, while no change was achieved in C4-2B tumors. Anti-β1I treatment decreased PC3 tumor cell mitosis index and spatially expanded 223Ra lethal effects two-fold, in vivo and in silico. Regression was paralleled by decreased expression of radio-resistance mediators. Targeting β1I significantly improves 223Ra outcome and points towards combinatorial application in PCa tumors with high β1I expression.
AUTHOR Wibowo, Arie and Tajalla, Gusti U. N. and Marsudi, Maradhana A. and Cooper, Glen and Asri, Lia A.T.W. and Liu, Fengyuan and Ardy, Husaini and Bartolo, Paulo J.D.S.
Title Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Extract of Cilembu Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas L var. Rancing) as Potential Filler for 3D Printed Electroactive and Anti-Infection Scaffolds [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Molecules
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Electroactive biomaterials are fascinating for tissue engineering applications because of their ability to deliver electrical stimulation directly to cells, tissue, and organs. One particularly attractive conductive filler for electroactive biomaterials is silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) because of their high conductivity, antibacterial activity, and ability to promote bone healing. However, production of AgNPs involves a toxic reducing agent which would inhibit biological scaffold performance. This work explores facile and green synthesis of AgNPs using extract of Cilembu sweet potato and studies the effect of baking and precursor concentrations (1, 10 and 100 mM) on AgNPs’ properties. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) results revealed that the smallest particle size of AgNPs (9.95 ± 3.69 nm) with nodular morphology was obtained by utilization of baked extract and ten mM AgNO3. Polycaprolactone (PCL)/AgNPs scaffolds exhibited several enhancements compared to PCL scaffolds. Compressive strength was six times greater (3.88 ± 0.42 MPa), more hydrophilic (contact angle of 76.8 ± 1.7°), conductive (2.3 ± 0.5 × 10−3 S/cm) and exhibited anti-bacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC3658 (99.5% reduction of surviving bacteria). Despite the promising results, further investigation on biological assessment is required to obtain comprehensive study of this scaffold. This green synthesis approach together with the use of 3D printing opens a new route to manufacture AgNPs-based electroactive with improved anti-bacterial properties without utilization of any toxic organic solvents.
AUTHOR Paulo Roberto {Lopes Nalesso} and Weiguang Wang and Yanhao Hou and Leonardo Bagne and Amanda Tavares Pereira and Julia Venturini Helaehil and Thiago Antônio {Moretti de Andrade} and Gabriela Bortolança Chiarotto and Paulo Bártolo and Guilherme Ferreira Caetano
Title In vivo investigation of 3D printed polycaprolactone/graphene electro-active bone scaffolds [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Bioprinting
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Additive manufactured scaffolds are widely used as 3D support structures for tissue engineering. This paper investigates the mechanisms behind bone regeneration due to the combined use of 3D printed poly (ϵ-caprolactone)/graphene (PCL/G) electro-active scaffolds and electrical stimulation. A comprehensive in vivo study was conducted to assess the proposed approach, using a rat model. Results show that the combined use of electro-active scaffolds and electrical stimulation therapy accelerates the bone regeneration process and the formation of more organized new bone, through fast angiogenesis, and a rapid transition to the mineralization and bone remodelling phase. The mechanism is investigated and explained.
AUTHOR e Silva, Edney P. and Huang, Boyang and Helaehil, Júlia V. and Nalesso, Paulo R. L. and Bagne, Leonardo and de Oliveira, Maraiara A. and Albiazetti, Gabriela C. C. and Aldalbahi, Ali and El-Newehy, Mohamed and Santamaria-Jr, Milton and Mendonça, Fernanda A. S. and Bártolo, Paulo and Caetano, Guilherme F.
Title In vivo study of conductive 3D printed PCL/MWCNTs scaffolds with electrical stimulation for bone tissue engineering [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Bio-Design and Manufacturing
Reftype e Silva2021
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Critical bone defects are considered one of the major clinical challenges in reconstructive bone surgery. The combination of 3D printed conductive scaffolds and exogenous electrical stimulation (ES) is a potential favorable approach for bone tissue repair. In this study, 3D conductive scaffolds made with biocompatible and biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were produced using the extrusion-based additive manufacturing to treat large calvary bone defects in rats. Histology results show that the use of PCL/MWCNTs scaffolds and ES contributes to thicker and increased bone tissue formation within the bone defect. Angiogenesis and mineralization are also significantly promoted using high concentration of MWCNTs (3 wt%) and ES. Moreover, scaffolds favor the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive cell formation, while the addition of MWCNTs seems to inhibit the osteoclastogenesis but present limited effects on the osteoclast functionalities (receptor activator of nuclear factor κβ ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) expressions). The use of ES promotes the osteoclastogenesis and RANKL expressions, showing a dominant effect in the bone remodeling process. These results indicate that the combination of 3D printed conductive PCL/MWCNTs scaffold and ES is a promising strategy to treat critical bone defects and provide a cue to establish an optimal protocol to use conductive scaffolds and ES for bone tissue engineering.
AUTHOR Zamani, Yasaman and Amoabediny, Ghassem and Mohammadi, Javad and Zandieh-Doulabi, Behrouz and Klein-Nulend, Jenneke and Helder, Marco N.
Title Increased Osteogenic Potential of Pre-Osteoblasts on Three-Dimensional Printed Scaffolds Compared to Porous Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Iranian Biomedical Journal
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Abstract
Background: One of the main challenges with conventional scaffold fabrication methods is the inability to control scaffold architecture. Recently, scaffolds with controlled shape and architecture have been fabricated using three-dimensional printing (3DP). Herein, we aimed to determine whether the much tighter control of microstructure of 3DP poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid/β-tricalcium phosphate (PLGA/β-TCP) scaffolds is more effective in promoting osteogenesis than porous scaffolds produced by solvent casting/porogen leaching. Methods: Physical and mechanical properties of porous and 3DP scaffolds were studied. The response of pre-osteoblasts to the scaffolds was analyzed after 14 days. Results: The 3DP scaffolds had a smoother surface (Ra: 22 ± 3 µm) relative to the highly rough surface of porous scaffolds (Ra: 110 ± 15 µm). Water contact angle was 112 ± 4° on porous and 76 ± 6° on 3DP scaffolds. Porous and 3DP scaffolds had the pore size of 408 ± 90 and 315 ± 17 µm and porosity of 85 ± 5% and 39 ± 7%, respectively. Compressive strength of 3DP scaffolds (4.0 ± 0.3 MPa) was higher than porous scaffolds (1.7 ± 0.2 MPa). Collagenous matrix deposition was similar on both scaffolds. Cells proliferated from day 1 to day 14 by fourfold in porous and by 3.8-fold in 3DP scaffolds. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was 21-fold higher in 3DP scaffolds than porous scaffolds. Conclusion: The 3DP scaffolds show enhanced mechanical properties and ALP activity compared to porous scaffolds in vitro, suggesting that 3DP PLGA/β-TCP scaffolds are possibly more favorable for bone formation.
AUTHOR Daskalakis, Evangelos and Liu, Fengyuan and Huang, Boyang and Acar, Anil A. and Cooper, Glen and Weightman, Andrew and Blunn, Gordon and Koç, Bahattin and Bartolo, Paulo
Title Investigating the Influence of Architecture and Material Composition of 3D Printed Anatomical Design Scaffolds for Large Bone Defects [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings International Journal of Bioprinting; Vol 7, No 2 (2021)
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Abstract
There is a significant unmet clinical need to prevent amputations due to large bone loss injuries. We are addressing this problem by developing a novel, cost-effective osseointegrated prosthetic solution based on the use of modular pieces, bone bricks, made with biocompatible and biodegradable materials that fit together in a Lego-like way to form the prosthesis. This paper investigates the anatomical designed bone bricks with different architectures, pore size gradients, and material compositions. Polymer and polymer-composite 3D printed bone bricks are extensively morphological, mechanical, and biological characterized. Composite bone bricks were produced by mixing polycaprolactone (PCL) with different levels of hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tri-calcium phosphate (TCP). Results allowed to establish a correlation between bone bricks architecture and material composition and bone bricks performance. Reinforced bone bricks showed improved mechanical and biological results. Best mechanical properties were obtained with PCL/TCP bone bricks with 38 double zig-zag filaments and 14 spiral-like pattern filaments, while the best biological results were obtained with PCL/HA bone bricks based on 25 double zig-zag filaments and 14 spiral-like pattern filaments.
AUTHOR Wang, Weiguang and Chen, Jun-Xiang and Hou, Yanhao and Bartolo, Paulo and Chiang, Wei-Hung
Title Investigations of Graphene and Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Enhanced Polycaprolactone 3D Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Nanomaterials
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Scaffolds play a key role in tissue engineering applications. In the case of bone tissue engineering, scaffolds are expected to provide both sufficient mechanical properties to withstand the physiological loads, and appropriate bioactivity to stimulate cell growth. In order to further enhance cell–cell signaling and cell–material interaction, electro-active scaffolds have been developed based on the use of electrically conductive biomaterials or blending electrically conductive fillers to non-conductive biomaterials. Graphene has been widely used as functioning filler for the fabrication of electro-active bone tissue engineering scaffolds, due to its high electrical conductivity and potential to enhance both mechanical and biological properties. Nitrogen-doped graphene, a unique form of graphene-derived nanomaterials, presents significantly higher electrical conductivity than pristine graphene, and better surface hydrophilicity while maintaining a similar mechanical property. This paper investigates the synthesis and use of high-performance nitrogen-doped graphene as a functional filler of poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds enabling to develop the next generation of electro-active scaffolds. Compared to PCL scaffolds and PCL/graphene scaffolds, these novel scaffolds present improved in vitro biological performance.
AUTHOR Petretta, Mauro and Gambardella, Alessandro and Desando, Giovanna and Cavallo, Carola and Bartolotti, Isabella and Shelyakova, Tatiana and Goranov, Vitaly and Brucale, Marco and Dediu, Valentin Alek and Fini, Milena and Grigolo, Brunella
Title Multifunctional 3D-Printed Magnetic Polycaprolactone/Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Polymers
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Multifunctional and resistant 3D structures represent a great promise and a great challenge in bone tissue engineering. This study addresses this problem by employing polycaprolactone (PCL)-based scaffolds added with hydroxyapatite (HAp) and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION), able to drive on demand the necessary cells and other bioagents for a high healing efficiency. PCL-HAp-SPION scaffolds with different concentrations of the superparamagnetic component were developed through the 3D-printing technology and the specific topographical features were detected by Atomic Force and Magnetic Force Microscopy (AFM-MFM). AFM-MFM measurements confirmed a homogenous distribution of HAp and SPION throughout the surface. The magnetically assisted seeding of cells in the scaffold resulted most efficient for the 1% SPION concentration, providing good cell entrapment and adhesion rates. Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) seeded onto PCL-HAp-1% SPION showed a good cell proliferation and intrinsic osteogenic potential, indicating no toxic effects of the employed scaffold materials. The performed characterizations and the collected set of data point on the inherent osteogenic potential of the newly developed PCL-HAp-1% SPION scaffolds, endorsing them towards next steps of in vitro and in vivo studies and validations.
AUTHOR King, William E. and Bowlin, Gary L.
Title Near-Field Electrospinning and Melt Electrowriting of Biomedical Polymers—Progress and Limitations [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Polymers
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Abstract
Near-field electrospinning (NFES) and melt electrowriting (MEW) are the process of extruding a fiber due to the force exerted by an electric field and collecting the fiber before bending instabilities occur. When paired with precise relative motion between the polymer source and the collector, a fiber can be directly written as dictated by preprogrammed geometry. As a result, this precise fiber control results in another dimension of scaffold tailorability for biomedical applications. In this review, biomedically relevant polymers that to date have manufactured fibers by NFES/MEW are explored and the present limitations in direct fiber writing of standardization in published setup details, fiber write throughput, and increased ease in the creation of complex scaffold geometries are discussed.
AUTHOR Salgado-Pizarro, Rebeca and Padilla, Jose Antonio and Xuriguera, Elena and Barreneche, Camila and Fernández, Ana Inés
Title Novel Shape-Stabilized Phase Change Material with Cascade Character: Synthesis, Performance and Shaping Evaluation [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Energies
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Thermal Energy Storage (TES) materials, such as Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are proven to enhance the energy efficiency in many fields, such as automotive and building sectors, which correspond to the most energy intensive ones. Shape-stabilized PCM and cascade PCM are procedures to overcome the most important barriers when PCMs are applied since PCMs need to be encapsulated for their technical use: the leakage of the liquid phase, corrosion, low heat transfer and narrow temperature of application. In the present study, a novel shape stabilized PCM with cascade performance (cascade shape stabilized phase change material, CSS-PCM) is synthesized via dissolution, which allows up to 60 wt.% of a paraffin-PCM in the final composition. The novel CSS-PCM is based on a biopolymer, the polycaprolactone (PCL), a low melting temperature polyester as polymeric matrix and RT27 and Micronal DS 5040 acting as PCM. To evaluate the performance of the new TES materials developed, several techniques have been used: Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier-Transformed Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were used to evaluate the thermophysical properties and the chemical properties of the different formulations. The CSS-PCM show an increment of storage capacity by increasing the PCM content, and the thermal reliability was also tested: some of the CSS-PCM formulations were stable for up to 500 thermal cycles. Finally, as a potential application of the new polymeric-based PCM 3D, a printing attempt was performed in order to analyze the viability of the formulations to be used as 3D printing material as a first proof of concept.
AUTHOR Korpershoek, Jasmijn V. and Ruijter, Mylène de and Terhaard, Bastiaan F. and Hagmeijer, Michella H. and Saris, Daniël B.F. and Castilho, Miguel and Malda, Jos and Vonk, Lucienne A.
Title Potential of Melt Electrowritten Scaffolds Seeded with Meniscus Cells and Mesenchymal Stromal Cells [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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Abstract
Meniscus injury and meniscectomy are strongly related to osteoarthritis, thus there is a clinical need for meniscus replacement. The purpose of this study is to create a meniscus scaffold with micro-scale circumferential and radial fibres suitable for a one-stage cell-based treatment. Poly-caprolactone-based scaffolds with three different architectures were made using melt electrowriting (MEW) technology and their in vitro performance was compared with scaffolds made using fused-deposition modelling (FDM) and with the clinically used Collagen Meniscus Implants® (CMI®). The scaffolds were seeded with meniscus and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in fibrin gel and cultured for 28 d. A basal level of proteoglycan production was demonstrated in MEW scaffolds, the CMI®, and fibrin gel control, yet within the FDM scaffolds less proteoglycan production was observed. Compressive properties were assessed under uniaxial confined compression after 1 and 28 d of culture. The MEW scaffolds showed a higher Young’s modulus when compared to the CMI® scaffolds and a higher yield point compared to FDM scaffolds. This study demonstrates the feasibility of creating a wedge-shaped meniscus scaffold with MEW using medical-grade materials and seeding the scaffold with a clinically-feasible cell number and -type for potential translation as a one-stage treatment.
AUTHOR Lotz, Benedict and Bothe, Friederike and Deubel, Anne-Kathrin and Hesse, Eliane and Renz, Yvonne and Werner, Carsten and Schäfer, Simone and Böck, Thomas and Groll, Jürgen and von Rechenberg, Brigitte and Richter, Wiltrud and Hagmann, Sebastien
Title Preclinical Testing of New Hydrogel Materials for Cartilage Repair: Overcoming Fixation Issues in a Large Animal Model [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings International Journal of Biomaterials
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Abstract
Reinforced hydrogels represent a promising strategy for tissue engineering of articular cartilage. They can recreate mechanical and biological characteristics of native articular cartilage and promote cartilage regeneration in combination with mesenchymal stromal cells. One of the limitations of in vivo models for testing the outcome of tissue engineering approaches is implant fixation. The high mechanical stress within the knee joint, as well as the concave and convex cartilage surfaces, makes fixation of reinforced hydrogel challenging. Methods. Different fixation methods for full-thickness chondral defects in minipigs such as fibrin glue, BioGlue®, covering, and direct suturing of nonenforced and enforced constructs were compared. Because of insufficient fixation in chondral defects, superficial osteochondral defects in the femoral trochlea, as well as the femoral condyle, were examined using press-fit fixation. Two different hydrogels (starPEG and PAGE) were compared by 3D-micro-CT (μCT) analysis as well as histological analysis. Results. Our results showed fixation of below 50% for all methods in chondral defects. A superficial osteochondral defect of 1 mm depth was necessary for long-term fixation of a polycaprolactone (PCL)-reinforced hydrogel construct. Press-fit fixation seems to be adapted for a reliable fixation of 95% without confounding effects of glue or suture material. Despite the good integration of our constructs, especially in the starPEG group, visible bone lysis was detected in micro-CT analysis. There was no significant difference between the two hydrogels (starPEG and PAGE) and empty control defects regarding regeneration tissue and cell integration. However, in the starPEG group, more cell-containing hydrogel fragments were found within the defect area. Conclusion. Press-fit fixation in a superficial osteochondral defect in the medial trochlear groove of adult minipigs is a promising fixation method for reinforced hydrogels. To avoid bone lysis, future approaches should focus on multilayered constructs recreating the zonal cartilage as well as the calcified cartilage and the subchondral bone plate.
AUTHOR Hamid, Omar A. and Eltaher, Hoda M. and Sottile, Virginie and Yang, Jing
Title 3D bioprinting of a stem cell-laden, multi-material tubular composite: An approach for spinal cord repair [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Materials Science and Engineering: C
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Abstract
Development of a biomimetic tubular scaffold capable of recreating developmental neurogenesis using pluripotent stem cells offers a novel strategy for the repair of spinal cord tissues. Recent advances in 3D printing technology have facilitated biofabrication of complex biomimetic environments by precisely controlling the 3D arrangement of various acellular and cellular components (biomaterials, cells and growth factors). Here, we present a 3D printing method to fabricate a complex, patterned and embryoid body (EB)-laden tubular scaffold composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and hydrogel (alginate or gelatine methacrylate (GelMA)). Our results revealed 3D printing of a strong, macro-porous PCL/hydrogel tubular scaffold with a high capacity to control the porosity of the PCL scaffold, wherein the maximum porosity in the PCL wall was 15%. The method was equally employed to create spatiotemporal protein concentration within the scaffold, demonstrating its ability to generate linear and opposite gradients of model molecules (fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA) and rhodamine). 3D bioprinting of EBs-laden GelMA was introduced as a novel 3D printing strategy to incorporate EBs in a hydrogel matrix. Cell viability and proliferation were measured post-printing. Following the bioprinting of EBs-laden 5% GelMA hydrogel, neural differentiation of EBs was induced using 1 μM retinoic acid (RA). The differentiated EBs contained βIII-tubulin positive neurons displaying axonal extensions and cells migration. Finally, 3D bioprinting of EBs-laden PCL/GelMA tubular scaffold successfully supported EBs neural differentiation and patterning in response to co-printing with 1 μM RA. 3D printing of a complex heterogeneous tubular scaffold that can encapsulate EBs, spatially controlled protein concentration and promote neuronal patterning will help in developing more biomimetic scaffolds capable of replicating the neural patterning which occurs during neural tube development.
AUTHOR Rupp, Harald and Binder, Wolfgang H.
Title 3D Printing of Core–Shell Capsule Composites for Post-Reactive and Damage Sensing Applications [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Advanced Materials Technologies
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Abstract
Abstract 3D printing of multicomponent materials as an advantageous method over traditional mold casting methods is demonstrated, developing small core–shell capsule composites fabricated by a two-step 3D printing process. Using a two-print-head system (fused deposition modeling extruder and a liquid inkjet print head), micro-sized capsules are manufactured in sizes ranging from 100 to 800 µm. The thermoplastic polymer poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is chosen as matrix/shell material due to its optimal interaction with the embedded hydrophobic liquids. First, the core–shell capsules are printed with model liquids and pure PCL to optimize the printing parameters and to ensure fully enclosed capsules inside the polymer. As a proof of concept, novel “click” reaction systems, used in self-healing and stress-detection applications, are manufactured in which PCL composites with nano- and micro-fillers are combined with reactive, encapsulated liquids. The so generated 3D printed core–shell capsule composite can be used for post-printing reactions and damage sensing when combined with a fluorogenic dye.
AUTHOR Critchley, Susan and Sheehy, Eamon J. and Cunniffe, Gráinne and Diaz-Payno, Pedro and Carroll, Simon F. and Jeon, Oju and Alsberg, Eben and Brama, Pieter A. J. and Kelly, Daniel J.
Title 3D printing of fibre-reinforced cartilaginous templates for the regeneration of osteochondral defects [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Acta Biomaterialia
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Abstract
Successful osteochondral defect repair requires regenerating the subchondral bone whilst simultaneously promoting the development of an overlying layer of articular cartilage that is resistant to vascularization and endochondral ossification. During skeletal development articular cartilage also functions as a surface growth plate, which postnatally is replaced by a more spatially complex bone-cartilage interface. Motivated by this developmental process, the hypothesis of this study is that bi-phasic, fibre-reinforced cartilaginous templates can regenerate both the articular cartilage and subchondral bone within osteochondral defects created in caprine joints. To engineer mechanically competent implants, we first compared a range of 3D printed fibre networks (PCL, PLA and PLGA) for their capacity to mechanically reinforce alginate hydrogels whilst simultaneously supporting mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) chondrogenesis in vitro. These mechanically reinforced, MSC-laden alginate hydrogels were then used to engineer the endochondral bone forming phase of bi-phasic osteochondral constructs, with the overlying chondral phase consisting of cartilage tissue engineered using a co-culture of infrapatellar fat pad derived stem/stromal cells (FPSCs) and chondrocytes. Following chondrogenic priming and subcutaneous implantation in nude mice, these bi-phasic cartilaginous constructs were found to support the development of vascularised endochondral bone overlaid by phenotypically stable cartilage. These fibre-reinforced, bi-phasic cartilaginous templates were then evaluated in clinically relevant, large animal (caprine) model of osteochondral defect repair. Although the quality of repair was variable from animal-to-animal, in general more hyaline-like cartilage repair was observed after 6 months in animals treated with bi-phasic constructs compared to animals treated with commercial control scaffolds. This variability in the quality of repair points to the need for further improvements in the design of 3D bioprinted implants for joint regeneration. Statement of Significance Successful osteochondral defect repair requires regenerating the subchondral bone whilst simultaneously promoting the development of an overlying layer of articular cartilage. In this study, we hypothesised that bi-phasic, fibre-reinforced cartilaginous templates could be leveraged to regenerate both the articular cartilage and subchondral bone within osteochondral defects. To this end we used 3D printed fibre networks to mechanically reinforce engineered transient cartilage, which also contained an overlying layer of phenotypically stable cartilage engineered using a co-culture of chondrocytes and stem cells. When chondrogenically primed and implanted into caprine osteochondral defects, these fibre-reinforced bi-phasic cartilaginous grafts were shown to spatially direct tissue development during joint repair. Such developmentally inspired tissue engineering strategies, enabled by advances in biofabrication and 3D printing, could form the basis of new classes of regenerative implants in orthopaedic medicine.
AUTHOR Wibowo, Arie and Vyas, Cian and Cooper, Glen and Qulub, Fitriyatul and Suratman, Rochim and Mahyuddin, Andi Isra and Dirgantara, Tatacipta and Bartolo, Paulo
Title 3D Printing of Polycaprolactone-Polyaniline Electroactive Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering. [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Materials
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Abstract
Electrostimulation and electroactive scaffolds can positively influence and guide cellular behaviour and thus has been garnering interest as a key tissue engineering strategy. The development of conducting polymers such as polyaniline enables the fabrication of conductive polymeric composite scaffolds. In this study, we report on the initial development of a polycaprolactone scaffold incorporating different weight loadings of a polyaniline microparticle filler. The scaffolds are fabricated using screw-assisted extrusion-based 3D printing and are characterised for their morphological, mechanical, conductivity, and preliminary biological properties. The conductivity of the polycaprolactone scaffolds increases with the inclusion of polyaniline. The in vitro cytocompatibility of the scaffolds was assessed using human adipose-derived stem cells to determine cell viability and proliferation up to 21 days. A cytotoxicity threshold was reached at 1% wt. polyaniline loading. Scaffolds with 0.1% wt. polyaniline showed suitable compressive strength (6.45 ± 0.16 MPa) and conductivity (2.46 ± 0.65 × 10(-4) S/cm) for bone tissue engineering applications and demonstrated the highest cell viability at day 1 (88%) with cytocompatibility for up to 21 days in cell culture.
AUTHOR Zamani, Yasaman and Amoabediny, Ghassem and Mohammadi, Javad and Seddiqi, Hadi and Helder, Marco N. and Zandieh-Doulabi, Behrouz and Klein-Nulend, Jenneke and Koolstra, Jan Harm
Title 3D-printed poly(Ɛ-caprolactone) scaffold with gradient mechanical properties according to force distribution in the mandible for mandibular bone tissue engineering [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
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Abstract
In bone tissue engineering, prediction of forces induced to the native bone during normal functioning is important in the design, fabrication, and integration of a scaffold with the host. The aim of this study was to customize the mechanical properties of a layer-by-layer 3D-printed poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffold estimated by finite element (FE) modeling in order to match the requirements of the defect, to prevent mechanical failure, and ensure optimal integration with the surrounding tissue. Forces and torques induced on the mandibular symphysis during jaw opening and closing were predicted by FE modeling. Based on the predicted forces, homogeneous-structured PCL scaffolds with 3 different void sizes (0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 mm) were designed and 3D-printed using an extrusion based 3D-bioprinter. In addition, 2 gradient-structured scaffolds were designed and 3D-printed. The first gradient scaffold contained 2 regions (0.3 mm and 0.6 mm void size in the upper and lower half, respectively), whereas the second gradient scaffold contained 3 regions (void sizes of 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 mm in the upper, middle and lower third, respectively). Scaffolds were tested for their compressive and tensile strength in the upper and lower halves. The actual void size of the homogeneous scaffolds with designed void size of 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 mm was 0.20, 0.59, and 0.95 mm, respectively. FE modeling showed that during opening and closing of the jaw, the highest force induced on the symphysis was a compressive force in the transverse direction. The compressive force was induced throughout the symphyseal line and reduced from top (362.5 N, compressive force) to bottom (107.5 N, tensile force) of the symphysis. Compressive and tensile strength of homogeneous scaffolds decreased by 1.4-fold to 3-fold with increasing scaffold void size. Both gradient scaffolds had higher compressive strength in the upper half (2 region-gradient scaffold: 4.9 MPa; 3 region-gradient scaffold: 4.1 MPa) compared with the lower half (2 region-gradient scaffold: 2.5 MPa; 3 region-gradient scaffold: 2.7 MPa) of the scaffold. 3D-printed PCL scaffolds had higher compressive strength in the scaffold layer-by-layer building direction compared with the side direction, and a very low tensile strength in the scaffold layer-by-layer building direction. Fluid shear stress and fluid pressure distribution in the gradient scaffolds were more homogeneous than in the 0.3 mm void size scaffold and similar to the 0.6 mm and 0.9 mm void size scaffolds. In conclusion, these data show that the mechanical properties of 3D-printed PCL scaffolds can be tailored based on the predicted forces on the mandibular symphysis. These 3D-printed PCL scaffolds had different mechanical properties in scaffold building direction compared with the side direction, which should be taken into account when placing the scaffold in the defect site. Our findings might have implications for improved performance and integration of scaffolds with native tissue.
AUTHOR Mancini, I. A. D. and Schmidt, S. and Brommer, H. and Pouran, B. and Schäfer, S. and Tessmar, J. and Mensinga, A. and van Rijen, M. H. P. and Groll, J. and Blunk, T. and Levato, R. and Malda, J. and van Weeren, P. R.
Title A composite hydrogel-3D printed thermoplast osteochondral anchor as example for a zonal approach to cartilage repair: in vivo performance in a long-term equine model [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Biofabrication
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Abstract
Recent research has been focusing on the generation of living personalized osteochondral constructs for joint repair. Native articular cartilage has a zonal structure, which is not reflected in current constructs and which may be a cause of the frequent failure of these repair attempts. Therefore, we investigated the performance of a composite implant that further reflects the zonal distribution of cellular component both in vitro and in vivo in a long-term equine model. Constructs constituted of a 3D-printed poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) bone anchor from which reinforcing fibers protruded into the chondral part of the construct over which two layers of a thiol-ene cross-linkable hyaluronic acid/poly(glycidol) hybrid hydrogel (HA-SH/P(AGE-co-G)) were fabricated. The top layer contained Articular Cartilage Progenitor Cells (ACPCs) derived from the superficial layer of native cartilage tissue, the bottom layer contained mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). The chondral part of control constructs were homogeneously filled with MSCs. After six months in vivo, microtomography revealed significant bone growth into the anchor. Histologically, there was only limited production of cartilage-like tissue (despite persistency of hydrogel) both in zonal and non-zonal constructs. There were no differences in histological scoring; however, the repair tissue was significantly stiffer in defects repaired with zonal constructs. The sub-optimal quality of the repair tissue may be related to several factors, including early loss of implanted cells, or inappropriate degradation rate of the hydrogel. Nonetheless, this approach may be promising and research into further tailoring of biomaterials and of construct characteristics seems warranted.
AUTHOR Moxon, Sam and Ferreira, Miguel and Santos, Patricia and Popa, Bogdan and Gloria, Antonio and Katsarava, Ramaz and Tugushi, David and Serra, Armenio and Hooper, Nigel and Kimber, Susan and Fonseca, Ana and Domingos, Marco
Title A Preliminary Evaluation of the Pro-Chondrogenic Potential of 3D-Bioprinted Poly(ester Urea) Scaffolds
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Polymers
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AUTHOR Huang, Boyang and Vyas, Cian and Byun, Jae Jong and El-Newehy, Mohamed and Huang, Zhucheng and Bártolo, Paulo
Title Aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes with nanohydroxyapatite in a 3D printed polycaprolactone scaffold stimulates osteogenic differentiation [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Materials Science and Engineering: C
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Abstract
The development of highly biomimetic scaffolds in terms of composition and structures, to repair or replace damaged bone tissues, is particularly relevant for tissue engineering. This paper investigates a 3D printed porous scaffold containing aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA), mimicking the natural bone tissue from the nanoscale to macroscale level. MWCNTs with similar dimensions as collagen fibres are coupled with nHA and mixed within a polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix to produce scaffolds using a screw-assisted extrusion-based additive manufacturing system. Scaffolds with different material compositions were extensively characterised from morphological, mechanical and biological points of views. Transmission electron microscopy and polarised Raman spectroscopy confirm the presence of aligned MWCNTs within the printed filaments. The PCL/HA/MWCNTs scaffold are similar to the nanostructure of native bone and shows overall increased mechanical properties, cell proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and scaffold mineralisation, indicating a promising approach for bone tissue regeneration.
AUTHOR Zamani, Yasaman and Mohammadi, Javad and Amoabediny, Ghassem and Helder, Marco N. and Zandieh-Doulabi, Behrouz and Klein-Nulend, Jenneke
Title Bioprinting of Alginate-Encapsulated Pre-osteoblasts in PLGA/β-TCP Scaffolds Enhances Cell Retention but Impairs Osteogenic Differentiation Compared to Cell Seeding after 3D-Printing [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Regenerative Engineering and Translational Medicine
Reftype Zamani2020
DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
In tissue engineering, cellularization of scaffolds has typically been performed by seeding the cells after scaffold fabrication. 3D-printing technology now allows bioprinting of cells encapsulated in a hydrogel simultaneously with the scaffold material. Here, we aimed to investigate whether bioprinting or cell seeding post-printing is more effective in enhancing responses of pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell line derived from mouse calvaria.
AUTHOR Diloksumpan, Paweena and de Ruijter, Myl{`{e}}ne and Castilho, Miguel and Gbureck, Uwe and Vermonden, Tina and van Weeren, P. Ren{'{e}} and Malda, Jos and Levato, Riccardo
Title Combining multi-scale 3D printing technologies to engineer reinforced hydrogel-ceramic interfaces [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Biofabrication
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Abstract
Multi-material 3D printing technologies that resolve features at different lengths down to the microscale open new avenues for regenerative medicine, particularly in the engineering of tissue interfaces. Herein, extrusion printing of a bone-biomimetic ceramic ink and melt electrowriting (MEW) of spatially organized polymeric microfibres are integrated for the biofabrication of an osteochondral plug, with a mechanically reinforced bone-to-cartilage interface. A printable physiological temperature-setting bioceramic, based on α-tricalcium phosphate, nanohydroxyapatite and a custom-synthesized biodegradable and crosslinkable poloxamer, was developed as bone support. The mild setting reaction of the bone ink enabled us to print directly within melt electrowritten polycaprolactone meshes, preserving their micro-architecture. Ceramic-integrated MEW meshes protruded into the cartilage region of the composite plug, and were embedded with mechanically soft gelatin-based hydrogels, laden with articular cartilage chondroprogenitor cells. Such interlocking design enhanced the hydrogel-to-ceramic adhesion strength >6.5-fold, compared with non-interlocking fibre architectures, enabling structural stability during handling and surgical implantation in osteochondral defects ex vivo. Furthermore, the MEW meshes endowed the chondral compartment with compressive properties approaching those of native cartilage (20-fold reinforcement versus pristine hydrogel). The osteal and chondral compartment supported osteogenesis and cartilage matrix deposition in vitro, and the neo-synthesized cartilage matrix further contributed to the mechanical reinforcement at the ceramic-hydrogel interface. This multi-material, multi-scale 3D printing approach provides a promising strategy for engineering advanced composite constructs for the regeneration of musculoskeletal and connective tissue interfaces.
AUTHOR Huang, Boyang and Aslan, Enes and Jiang, Zhengyi and Daskalakis, Evangelos and Jiao, Mohan and Aldalbahi, Ali and Vyas, Cian and Bártolo, Paulo
Title Engineered dual-scale poly (ε-caprolactone) scaffolds using 3D printing and rotational electrospinning for bone tissue regeneration [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Additive Manufacturing
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Abstract
Large bone defects due to trauma or disease present a significant clinical challenge with limited efficacy of current therapies. A key aim is to develop biomimetic scaffolds that reflect the native tissue structure with 3D printing being an important enabling technology. However, the incorporation of multiple length scales and anisotropic features, mimicking the native architecture, is difficult with current processes. In this study, we propose a simple and versatile hybrid printing process using a screw-assisted additive manufacturing technique combined with rotational electrospinning to fabricate dual-scale anisotropic scaffolds. 3D microscale porous polycaprolactone (PCL) structures with highly aligned nanoscale fibres were successfully produced layer-by-layer. The scaffolds were morphological, mechanical and biological characterised. Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) were seeded on the hybrid scaffold to evaluate the effects of structural and anisotropic topographic cues on cell attachment, proliferation and osteogenesis differentiation. Results show that the 3D printed microscale structures have uniform and well-defined geometries and the alignment of nanoscale electrospun fibres increases by increasing the electrospinning rotational velocity. Mechanical results show that there is no significant difference between 3D printed scaffolds with or without electrospun meshes. In vitro results show higher cell seeding efficiency and proliferation in dual-scale scaffolds with high density electrospun meshes. A more stretched and elongated cell morphology was observed in aligned nanofibre scaffolds showing higher anisotropic cytoskeletal organization than 3D printed PCL scaffolds without electrospun meshes. The dual-scale scaffolds present improved overall osteogenic markers expressions (COL-1, ALP and OCN). However, no statistical difference between normalised osteogenic marker expressions were observed between dual-scale scaffolds and 3D printed scaffolds. This might be attributed to the poor bioactivity of the substrate material, PCL, suggesting topographical cues might not be sufficient to stimulate cell fate towards to an osteogenic linage. The results suggest that the proposed fabrication strategy is a promising approach for the design of novel bone scaffolds to modulate cell fates by integrating the topographic cue reported in this paper with biochemical cues associated to the use of more bioactive materials.
AUTHOR Song, Jie-Liang and Fu, Xin-Ye and Raza, Ali and Shen, Nai-An and Xue, Ya-Qi and Wang, Hua-Jie and Wang, Jin-Ye
Title Enhancement of mechanical strength of TCP-alginate based bioprinted constructs [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
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Abstract
To overcome the mechanical drawback of bioink, we proposed a supporter model to enhance the mechanical strength of bioprinted 3D constructs, in which a unit-assembly idea was involved. Based on Computed Tomography images of critical-sized rabbit bone defect, the 3D re-construction was accomplished by a sequenced process using Mimics 17.0, BioCAM and BioCAD software. 3D constructs were bioprinted using polycaprolactone (PCL) ink for the outer supporter under extrusion mode, and cell-laden tricalcium phosphate (TCP)/alginate bioink for the inner filler under air pressure dispensing mode. The relationship of viscosity of bioinks, 3D bioprinting pressure, TCP/alginate ratio and cell survival were investigated by the shear viscosities analysis, live/dead cell test and cell-counting kit 8 measurement. The viscosity of bioinks at 1.0 s−1-shear rate could be adjusted within the range of 1.75 ± 0.29 Pa·s to 155.65 ± 10.86 Pa·s by changing alginate concentration, corresponding to 10 kPa–130 kPa of printing pressure. This design with PCL supporter could significantly enhance the compressive strength and compressive modulus of standardized 3D mechanical testing specimens up to 2.15 ± 0.14 MPa to 2.58 ± 0.09 MPa, and 42.83 ± 4.75 MPa to 53.12 ± 1.19 MPa, respectively. Cells could maintain the high viability (over 80%) under the given printing pressure but cell viability declined with the increase of TCP content. Cell survival after experiencing 7 days of cell culture could be achieved when the ratio of TCP/alginate was 1 : 4. All data supported the feasibility of the supporter and unit-assembly model to enhance mechanical properties of bioprinted 3D constructs.
AUTHOR Abu Awwad, Hosam Al-Deen M. and Thiagarajan, Lalitha and Kanczler, Janos M. and Amer, Mahetab H. and Bruce, Gordon and Lanham, Stuart and Rumney, Robin M. H. and Oreffo, Richard O. C. and Dixon, James E.
Title Genetically-programmed, mesenchymal stromal cell-laden & mechanically strong 3D bioprinted scaffolds for bone repair [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Journal of Controlled Release
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Abstract
Additive manufacturing processes used to create regenerative bone tissue engineered implants are not biocompatible, thereby restricting direct use with stem cells and usually require cell seeding post-fabrication. Combined delivery of stem cells with the controlled release of osteogenic factors, within a mechanically-strong biomaterial combined during manufacturing would replace injectable defect fillers (cements) and allow personalized implants to be rapidly prototyped by 3D bioprinting. Through the use of direct genetic programming via the sustained release of an exogenously delivered transcription factor RUNX2 (delivered as recombinant GET-RUNX2 protein) encapsulated in PLGA microparticles (MPs), we demonstrate that human mesenchymal stromal (stem) cells (hMSCs) can be directly fabricated into a thermo-sintered 3D bioprintable material and achieve effective osteogenic differentiation. Importantly we observed osteogenic programming of gene expression by released GET-RUNX2 (8.2-, 3.3- and 3.9-fold increases in OSX, RUNX2 and OPN expression, respectively) and calcification (von Kossa staining) in our scaffolds. The developed biodegradable PLGA/PEG paste formulation augments high-density bone development in a defect model (~2.4-fold increase in high density bone volume) and can be used to rapidly prototype clinically-sized hMSC-laden implants within minutes using mild, cytocompatible extrusion bioprinting. The ability to create mechanically strong 'cancellous bone-like’ printable implants for tissue repair that contain stem cells and controlled-release of programming factors is innovative, and will facilitate the development of novel localized delivery approaches to direct cellular behaviour for many regenerative medicine applications including those for personalized bone repair.
AUTHOR Eltaher, Hoda M. and Abukunna, Fatima E. and Ruiz-Cantu, Laura and Stone, Zack and Yang, Jing and Dixon, James E.
Title Human-scale tissues with patterned vascular networks by additive manufacturing of sacrificial sugar-protein composites [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Acta Biomaterialia
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Abstract
Combating necrosis, by supplying nutrients and removing waste, presents the major challenge for engineering large three-dimensional (3D) tissues. Previous elegant work used 3D printing with carbohydrate glass as a cytocompatible sacrificial template to create complex engineered tissues with vascular networks (Miller et al. 2012, Nature Materials). The fragile nature of this material compounded with the technical complexity needed to create high-resolution structures led us to create a flexible sugar-protein composite, termed Gelatin-sucrose matrix (GSM), to achieve a more robust and applicable material. Here we developed a low-range (25–37˚C) temperature sensitive formulation that can be moulded with micron-resolution features or cast during 3D printing to produce complex flexible filament networks forming sacrificial vessels. Using the temperature-sensitivity, we could control filament degeneration meaning GSM can be used with a variety of matrices and crosslinking strategies. Furthermore by incorporation of biocompatible crosslinkers into GSM directly, we could create thin endothelialized vessel walls and generate patterned tissues containing multiple matrices and cell-types. We also demonstrated that perfused vascular channels sustain metabolic function of a variety of cell-types including primary human cells. Importantly, we were able to construct vascularized human noses which otherwise would have been necrotic. Our material can now be exploited to create human-scale tissues for regenerative medicine applications. Statement of Significance Authentic and engineered tissues have demands for mass transport, exchanging nutrients and oxygen, and therefore require vascularization to retain viability and inhibit necrosis. Basic vascular networks must be included within engineered tissues intrinsically. Yet, this has been unachievable in physiologically-sized constructs with tissue-like cell densities until recently. Sacrificial moulding is an alternative in which networks of rigid lattices of filaments are created to prevent subsequent matrix ingress. Our study describes a biocompatible sacrificial sugar-protein formulation; GSM, made from mixtures of inexpensive and readily available bio-grade materials. GSM can be cast/moulded or bioprinted as sacrificial filaments that can rapidly dissolve in an aqueous environment temperature-sensitively. GSM material can be used to engineer viable and vascularized human-scale tissues for regenerative medicine applications.
AUTHOR Hauptstein, Julia and Böck, Thomas and Bartolf-Kopp, Michael and Forster, Leonard and Stahlhut, Philipp and Nadernezhad, Ali and Blahetek, Gina and Zernecke-Madsen, Alma and Detsch, Rainer and Jüngst, Tomasz and Groll, Jürgen and Teßmar, Jörg and Blunk, Torsten
Title Hyaluronic Acid-Based Bioink Composition Enabling 3D Bioprinting and Improving Quality of Deposited Cartilaginous Extracellular Matrix [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Advanced Healthcare Materials
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Abstract In 3D bioprinting, bioinks with high concentrations of polymeric materials are frequently used to enable fabrication of 3D cell-hydrogel constructs with sufficient stability. However, this is often associated with restricted cell bioactivity and an inhomogeneous distribution of newly produced extracellular matrix (ECM). Therefore, this study investigates bioink compositions based on hyaluronic acid (HA), an attractive material for cartilage regeneration, which allow for reduction of polymer content. Thiolated HA and allyl-modified poly(glycidol) in varying concentrations are UV-crosslinked. To adapt bioinks to poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-supported 3D bioprinting, the gels are further supplemented with 1 wt% unmodified high molecular weight HA (hmHA) and chondrogenic differentiation of incorporated human mesenchymal stromal cells is assessed. Strikingly, addition of hmHA to gels with a low polymer content (3 wt%) results in distinct increase of construct quality with a homogeneous ECM distribution throughout the constructs, independent of the printing process. Improved ECM distribution in those constructs is associated with increased construct stiffness after chondrogenic differentiation, as compared to higher concentrated constructs (10 wt%), which only show pericellular matrix deposition. The study contributes to effective bioink development, demonstrating dual function of a supplement enabling PCL-supported bioprinting and at the same time improving biological properties of the resulting constructs.
AUTHOR Hou, Yanhao and Wang, Weiguang and Bartolo, Paulo Jorge Da Silva
Title Investigating the Effect of Carbon Nanomaterials Reinforcing Poly(Ε-Caprolactone) Scaffolds for Bone Repair Applications [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings International Journal of Bioprinting
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Scaffolds, three-dimensional (3D) substrates providing appropriate mechanical support and biological environments for new tissue formation, are the most common approaches in tissue engineering. To improve scaffold properties such as mechanical properties, surface characteristics, biocompatibility and biodegradability, different types of fillers have been used reinforcing biocompatible and biodegradable polymers. This paper investigates and compares the mechanical and biological behaviors of 3D printed poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds reinforced with graphene (G) and graphene oxide (GO) at different concentrations. Results show that contrary to G which improves mechanical properties and enhances cell attachment and proliferation, GO seems to show some cytotoxicity, particular at high contents.
AUTHOR Ruiz-Cantu, Laura and Gleadall, Andrew and Faris, Callum and Segal, Joel and Shakesheff, Kevin and Yang, Jing
Title Multi-material 3D bioprinting of porous constructs for cartilage regeneration [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Materials Science and Engineering: C
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Abstract
The current gold standard for nasal reconstruction after rhinectomy or severe trauma includes transposition of autologous cartilage grafts in conjunction with coverage using an autologous skin flap. Harvesting autologous cartilage requires a major additional procedure that may create donor site morbidity. Major nasal reconstruction also requires sculpting autologous cartilages to form a cartilage framework, which is complex, highly skill-demanding and very time consuming. These limitations have prompted facial reconstructive surgeons to explore different techniques such as tissue engineered cartilage. This work explores the use of multi-material 3D bioprinting with chondrocyte-laden gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) to fabricate constructs that can potentially be used for nasal reconstruction. In this study, we have investigated the effect of 3D manufacturing parameters including temperature, needle gauge, UV exposure time, and cell carrier formulation (GelMA) on the viability and functionality of chondrocytes in bioprinted constructs. Furthermore, we printed chondrocyte-laden GelMA and PCL into composite constructs to combine biological and mechanical properties. It was found that 20% w/v GelMA was the best concentration for the 3D bioprinting of the chondrocytes without comprising the scaffold's porous structure and cell functionality. In addition, the 3D bioprinted constructs showed neocartilage formation and similar mechanical properties to nasal alar cartilage after a 50-day culture period. Neocartilage formation was also observed in the composite constructs evidenced by the presence of glycosaminoglycans and collagen type II. This study shows the feasibility of manufacturing neocartilage using chondrocytes/GelMA/PCL 3D bioprinted porous constructs which could be applied as a method for fabricating implants for nose reconstruction.
AUTHOR Rupp, Harald and Binder, Wolfgang H.
Title Multicomponent Stress-Sensing Composites Fabricated by 3D-Printing Methodologies [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Macromolecular Rapid Communications
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Abstract The preparation and characterization of mechanoresponsive, 3D-printed composites are reported using a dual-printing setup for both, liquid dispensing and fused-deposition-modeling. The here reported stress-sensing materials are based on high- and low molecular weight mechanophores, including poly(ε-caprolactone)-, polyurethane-, and alkyl(C11)-based latent copper(I)bis(N-heterocyclic carbenes), which can be activated by compression to trigger a fluorogenic, copper(I)-catalyzed azide/alkyne “click”-reaction of an azide-functionalized fluorescent dye inside a bulk polymeric material. Focus is placed on the printability and postprinting activity of the latent mechanophores and the fluorogenic “click”-components. The multicomponent specimen containing both, azide and alkyne, are manufactured via a 3D-printer to place the components separately inside the specimen into void spaces generated during the FDM-process, which subsequently are filled with liquids using a separate liquid dispenser, located within the same 3D-printing system. The low-molecular weight mechanophores bearing the alkyl-C11 chains display the best printability, yielding a mechanochemical response after the 3D-printing process.
AUTHOR Hou, Yanhao and Wang, Weiguang and Bártolo, Paulo
Title Novel Poly(ɛ-caprolactone)/Graphene Scaffolds for Bone Cancer Treatment and Bone Regeneration [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
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Scaffold-based bone tissue engineering is the most relevant approach for critical-sized bone defects. It is based on the use of three-dimensional substrates to provide the appropriate biomechanical environment for bone regeneration. Despite some successful results previously reported, scaffolds were never designed for disease treatment applications. This article proposes a novel dual-functional scaffold for cancer applications, comprising both treatment and regeneration functions. These functions are achieved by combining a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer and graphene. Results indicate that high concentrations of graphene enhance the mechanical properties of the scaffolds, also increasing the inhibition on cancer cell viability and proliferation.
AUTHOR Diloksumpan, Paweena and Bolaños, Rafael Vindas and Cokelaere, Stefan and Pouran, Behdad and de Grauw, Janny and van Rijen, Mattie and van Weeren, René and Levato, Riccardo and Malda, Jos
Title Orthotopic Bone Regeneration within 3D Printed Bioceramic Scaffolds with Region-Dependent Porosity Gradients in an Equine Model [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Advanced Healthcare Materials
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Abstract The clinical translation of three-dimensionally printed bioceramic scaffolds with tailored architectures holds great promise toward the regeneration of bone to heal critical-size defects. Herein, the long-term in vivo performance of printed hydrogel-ceramic composites made of methacrylated-oligocaprolactone-poloxamer and low-temperature self-setting calcium-phosphates is assessed in a large animal model. Scaffolds printed with different internal architectures, displaying either a designed porosity gradient or a constant pore distribution, are implanted in equine tuber coxae critical size defects. Bone ingrowth is challenged and facilitated only from one direction via encasing the bioceramic in a polycaprolactone shell. After 7 months, total new bone volume and scaffold degradation are significantly greater in structures with constant porosity. Interestingly, gradient scaffolds show lower extent of remodeling and regeneration even in areas having the same porosity as the constant scaffolds. Low regeneration in distal regions from the interface with native bone impairs ossification in proximal regions of the construct, suggesting that anisotropic architectures modulate the cross-talk between distant cells within critical-size defects. The study provides key information on how engineered architectural patterns impact osteoregeneration in vivo, and also indicates the equine tuber coxae as promising orthotopic model for studying materials stimulating bone formation.
AUTHOR Schipani, Rossana and Scheurer, Stefan and Florentin, Romain and Critchley, Susan E. and Kelly, Daniel John
Title Reinforcing interpenetrating network hydrogels with 3D printed polymer networks to engineer cartilage mimetic composites [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Biofabrication
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Engineering constructs that mimic the complex structure, composition and biomechanics of the articular cartilage represents a promising route to joint regeneration. Such tissue engineering strategies require the development of biomaterials that mimic the mechanical properties of articular cartilage whilst simultaneously providing an environment supportive of chondrogenesis. Here three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is used to develop polycaprolactone (PCL) fibre networks to mechanically reinforce interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogels consisting of alginate and gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). Inspired by the significant tension-compression nonlinearity of the collagen network in articular cartilage, we printed reinforcing PCL networks with different ratios of tensile to compressive modulus. Synergistic increases in compressive modulus were observed when IPN hydrogels were reinforced with PCL networks that were relatively soft in compression and stiff in tension. The resulting composites possessed equilibrium and dynamic mechanical properties that matched or approached that of native articular cartilage. Finite Element (FE) modelling revealed that the reinforcement of IPN hydrogels with specific PCL networks limited radial expansion and increased the hydrostatic pressure generated within the IPN upon the application of compressive loading. Next, multiple-tool biofabrication techniques were used to 3D bioprint PCL reinforced IPN hydrogels laden with a co-culture of bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BMSCs) and chondrocytes (CCs). The bioprinted biomimetic composites were found to support robust chondrogenesis, with encapsulated cells producing hyaline-like cartilage that stained strongly for sGAG and type II collagen deposition, and negatively for type X collagen and calcium deposition. Taken together, these results demonstrate how 3D bioprinting can be used to engineer constructs that are both pro-chondrogenic and biomimetic of the mechanical properties of articular cartilage.
AUTHOR Prasopthum, Aruna and Deng, Zexing and Khan, Ilyas M. and Yin, Zhanhai and Guo, Baolin and Yang, Jing
Title Three dimensional printed degradable and conductive polymer scaffolds promote chondrogenic differentiation of chondroprogenitor cells [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Biomaterials Science
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Conductive polymers have been used for various biomedical applications including biosensors{,} tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However{,} the poor processability and brittleness of these polymers hinder the fabrication of three-dimensional structures with desirable geometries. Moreover{,} their application in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine has been so far limited to excitable cells such as neurons and muscle cells. To enable their wider adoption in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine{,} new materials and formulations that overcome current limitations are required. Herein{,} a biodegradable conductive block copolymer{,} tetraaniline-b-polycaprolactone-b-tetraaniline (TPT){,} is synthesised and 3D printed for the first time into porous scaffolds with defined geometries. Inks are formulated by combining TPT with PCL in solutions which are then directly 3D printed to generate porous scaffolds. TPT and PCL are both biodegradable. The combination of TPT with PCL increases the flexibility of the hybrid material compared to pure TPT{,} which is critical for applications that need mechanical robustness of the scaffolds. The highest TPT content shows the lowest tensile failure strain. Moreover{,} the absorption of a cell adhesion-promoting protein (fibronectin) and chondrogenic differentiation of chondroprogenitor cells are found to be dependent on the amount of TPT in the blends. Higher content of TPT in the blends increases both fibronectin adsorption and chondrogenic differentiation{,} though the highest concentration of TPT in the blends is limited by its solubility in the ink. Despite the contradicting effects of TPT concentration on flexibility and chondrogenic differentiation{,} a concentration that strikes a balance between the two factors is still available. It is worth noting that the effect on chondrogenic differentiation is found in scaffolds without external electric stimulation. Our work demonstrates the possibility of 3D printing flexible conductive and biodegradable scaffolds and their potential use in cartilage tissue regeneration{,} and opens up future opportunities in using electric stimulation to control chondrogenesis in these scaffolds.
AUTHOR Vyas, Cian and Ates, Gokhan and Aslan, Enes and Hart, Jack and Huang, Boyang and Bartolo, Paulo
Title Three-Dimensional Printing and Electrospinning Dual-Scale Polycaprolactone Scaffolds with Low-Density and Oriented Fibers to Promote Cell Alignment [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
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Complex and hierarchically functionalized scaffolds composed of micro- and nanoscale structures are a key goal in tissue engineering. The combination of three-dimensional (3D) printing and electrospinning enables the fabrication of these multiscale structures. This study presents a polycaprolactone 3D-printed and electrospun scaffold with multiple mesh layers and fiber densities. The results show successful fabrication of a dual-scale scaffold with the 3D-printed scaffold acting as a gap collector with the printed microfibers as the electrodes and the pores a series of insulating gaps resulting in aligned nanofibers. The electrospun fibers are highly aligned perpendicular to the direction of the printed fiber and form aligned meshes within the pores of the scaffold. Mechanical testing showed no significant difference between the number of mesh layers whereas the hydrophobicity of the scaffold increased with increasing fiber density. Biological results indicate that increasing the number of mesh layers improves cell proliferation, migration, and adhesion. The aligned nanofibers within the microscale pores allowed enhanced cell bridging and cell alignment that was not observed in the 3D-printed only scaffold. These results demonstrate a facile method of incorporating low-density and aligned fibers within a 3D-printed scaffold that is a promising development in multiscale hierarchical scaffolds where alignment of cells can be desirable.
AUTHOR Nasim Golafshan and Elke Vorndran and Stefan Zaharievski and Harold Brommer and Firoz Babu Kadumudi and Alireza Dolatshahi-Pirouz and Uwe Gbureck and René {van Weeren} and Miguel Castilho and Jos Malda
Title Tough magnesium phosphate-based 3D-printed implants induce bone regeneration in an equine defect model [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Biomaterials
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One of the important challenges in bone tissue engineering is the development of biodegradable bone substitutes with appropriate mechanical and biological properties for the treatment of larger defects and those with complex shapes. Recently, magnesium phosphate (MgP) doped with biologically active ions like strontium (Sr2+) have shown to significantly enhance bone formation when compared with the standard calcium phosphate-based ceramics. However, such materials can hardly be shaped into large and complex geometries and more importantly lack the adequate mechanical properties for the treatment of load-bearing bone defects. In this study, we have fabricated bone implants through extrusion assisted three-dimensional (3D) printing of MgP ceramics modified with Sr2+ ions (MgPSr) and a medical grade polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer phase. MgPSr with 30 wt% PCL (MgPSr-PCL30) allowed the printability of relevant size structures (>780 mm3) at room temperature with an interconnected macroporosity of approximately 40%. The printing resulted in implants with a compressive strength of 4.3 MPa, which were able to support up to 50 cycles of loading without plastic deformation. Notably, MgPSr-PCL30 scaffolds were able to promote in vitro bone formation in medium without the supplementation with osteo-inducing components. In addition, long-term in vivo performance of the 3D printed scaffolds was investigated in an equine tuber coxae model over 6 months. The micro-CT and histological analysis showed that implantation of MgPSr-PCL30 induced bone regeneration, while no bone formation was observed in the empty defects. Overall, the novel polymer modified MgP ceramic material and extrusion-based 3D printing process presented here greatly improved the shape ability and load bearing properties of MgP-based ceramics with simultaneously induction of new bone formation.
AUTHOR Alison, Lauriane and Menasce, Stefano and Bouville, Florian and Tervoort, Elena and Mattich, Iacopo and Ofner, Alessandro and Studart, André R.
Title 3D printing of sacrificial templates into hierarchical porous materials [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings Scientific Reports
Reftype Alison2019
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Abstract
Hierarchical porous materials are widespread in nature and find an increasing number of applications as catalytic supports, biological scaffolds and lightweight structures. Recent advances in additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies have enabled the digital fabrication of porous materials in the form of lattices, cellular structures and foams across multiple length scales. However, current approaches do not allow for the fast manufacturing of bulk porous materials featuring pore sizes that span broadly from macroscopic dimensions down to the nanoscale. Here, ink formulations are designed and investigated to enable 3D printing of hierarchical materials displaying porosity at the nano-, micro- and macroscales. Pores are generated upon removal of nanodroplets and microscale templates present in the initial ink. Using particles to stabilize the droplet templates is key to obtain Pickering nanoemulsions that can be 3D printed through direct ink writing. The combination of such self-assembled templates with the spatial control offered by the printing process allows for the digital manufacturing of hierarchical materials exhibiting thus far inaccessible multiscale porosity and complex geometries.
AUTHOR Shen, Jie and Wang, Wenhao and Zhai, Xinyun and Chen, Bo and Qiao, Wei and Li, Wan and Li, Penghui and Zhao, Ying and Meng, Yuan and Qian, Shi and Liu, Xuanyong and Chu, Paul K. and Yeung, Kelvin W. K.
Title 3D-printed nanocomposite scaffolds with tunable magnesium ionic microenvironment induce in situ bone tissue regeneration [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings Applied Materials Today
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Local tissue microenvironment is able to regulate cell-to-cell interaction that leads to effective tissue repair. This study aims to demonstrate a tunable magnesium ionic (Mg2+) microenvironment in bony tissue that can significantly induce bone defect repair. The concept can be realized by using a newly fabricated nanocomposite comprising of custom-made copolymer polycaprolactone-co-poly(ethylene glycol)-co-polycaprolactone (PCL-PEG-PCL) and surface-modified magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles. In this study, additive manufacturing (AM) technology had been adopted to help design the porous three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds with tunable Mg2+ microenvironment. We found that the wettability and printability of new copolymer had been improved as compared with that of PCL polymer. Additionally, when MgO nanoparticles incorporated into the newly synthesized hydrophilic copolymer matrix, it could lead to increased compressive moduli significantly. In the in vitro studies, the fabricated nanocomposite scaffold with low concentration of Mg2+ microenvironment not only demonstrated better cytocompatibility, but also remarkably enhanced osteogenic differentiation in vitro as compared with the pure PCL and PCL-PEG-PCL co-polymer controls. In the animal studies, we also found that superior and early bone formation and tissue mineralization could be observed in the same 3D printed scaffold. However, the nanocomposite scaffold with high concentration of Mg2+ jeopardized the in situ bony tissue regeneration capability due to excessive magnesium ions in bone tissue microenvironment. Lastly, this study demonstrates that the nanocomposite 3D scaffold with controlled magnesium concentration in bone tissue microenvironment can effectively promote bone defect repair.
AUTHOR Wang, Weiguang and Huang, Boyang and Byun, Jae Jong and Bártolo, Paulo
Title Assessment of PCL/carbon material scaffolds for bone regeneration [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
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Biomanufacturing is a relatively new research domain focusing on the use of additive manufacturing technologies, biomaterials, cells and biomolecular signals to produce tissue constructs for tissue engineering. For bone regeneration, researchers are focusing on the use of polymeric and polymer/ceramic scaffolds seeded with osteoblasts or mesenchymal stem cells. However, the design of high-performance scaffolds in terms of mechanical, cell-stimulation and biological performance is still required. This is the first paper investigating the use of an extrusion additive manufacturing system to produce poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), PCL/graphene nanosheet (GNS) and PCL/carbon nanotube (CNT) scaffolds for bone applications. Scaffolds with regular and reproducible architecture were produced and evaluated from chemical, physical and biological points of view. Results suggest that the addition of both graphene and CNT allow the fabrication of scaffolds with improved properties. It also shows that scaffolds containing graphene present better mechanical properties and high cell-affinity improving cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation.
AUTHOR Freeman, F. E. and Browe, D. C. and Nulty, J. and Von Euw, S. and Grayson, W. L. and Kelly, D. J.
Title Biofabrication of multiscale bone extracellular matrix scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings European Cells and Materials Journal
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Interconnected porosity is critical to the design of regenerative scaffolds, as it permits cell migration, vascularisation and diffusion of nutrients and regulatory molecules inside the scaffold. 3D printing is a promising strategy to achieve this as it allows the control over scaffold pore size, porosity and interconnectivity. Thus, the aim of the present study was to integrate distinct biofabrication strategies to develop a multiscale porous scaffold that was not only mechanically functional at the time of implantation, but also facilitated rapid vascularisation and provided stem cells with appropriate cues to enable their differentiation into osteoblasts. To achieve this, polycaprolactone (PCL) was functionalised with decellularised bone extracellular matrix (ECM), to produce osteoinductive filaments for 3D printing. The addition of bone ECM to the PCL not only increased the mechanical properties of the resulting scaffold, but also increased cellular attachment and enhanced osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In vivo, scaffold pore size determined the level of vascularisation, with a larger filament spacing supporting faster vessel in-growth and more new bone formation. By freeze-drying solubilised bone ECM within these 3D-printed scaffolds, it was possible to introduce a matrix network with microscale porosity that further enhanced cellular attachment in vitro and increased vessel infiltration and overall levels of new bone formation in vivo. To conclude, an "off-the-shelf" multiscale bone-ECM-derived scaffold was developed that was mechanically stable and, once implanted in vivo, will drive vascularisation and, ultimately, lead to bone regeneration.
AUTHOR Marchiori, Gregorio and Berni, Matteo and Boi, Marco and Petretta, Mauro and Grigolo, Brunella and Bellucci, Devis and Cannillo, Valeria and Garavelli, Chiara and Bianchi, Michele
Title Design of a novel procedure for the optimization of the mechanical performances of 3D printed scaffolds for bone tissue engineering combining CAD, Taguchi method and FEA [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings Medical Engineering and Physics
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In order to increase manufacturing and experimental efficiency, a certain degree of control over design performances before realization phase is recommended. In this context, this paper presents an integrated procedure to design 3D scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. The procedure required a combination of Computer Aided Design (CAD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and Design methodologies Of Experiments (DOE), firstly to understand the influence of the design parameters, and then to control them. Based on inputs from the literature and limitations imposed by the chosen manufacturing process (Precision Extrusion Deposition), 36 scaffold architectures have been drawn. The porosity of each scaffold has been calculated with CAD. Thereafter, a generic scaffold material was considered and its variable parameters were combined with the geometrical ones according to the Taguchi method, i.e. a DOE method. The compressive response of those principal combinations was simulated by FEA, and the influence of each design parameter on the scaffold compressive behaviour was clarified. Finally, a regression model was obtained correlating the scaffold's mechanical performances to its geometrical and material parameters. This model has been applied to a novel composite material made of polycaprolactone and innovative bioactive glass. By setting specific porosity (50%) and stiffness (0.05 GPa) suitable for trabecular bone substitutes, the model selected 4 of the 36 initial scaffold architectures. Only these 4 more promising geometries will be realized and physically tested for advanced indications on compressive strength and biocompatibility.
AUTHOR Wang, Weiguang and Junior, José Roberto Passarini and Nalesso, Paulo Roberto Lopes and Musson, David and Cornish, Jillian and Mendonça, Fernanda and Caetano, Guilherme Ferreira and Bártolo, Paulo
Title Engineered 3D printed poly(ɛ-caprolactone)/graphene scaffolds for bone tissue engineering [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings Materials Science and Engineering: C
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Scaffolds are important physical substrates for cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation. Multiple factors could influence the optimal design of scaffolds for a specific tissue, such as the geometry, the materials used to modulate cell proliferation and differentiation, its biodegradability and biocompatibility. The optimal design of a scaffold for a specific tissue strongly depends on both materials and manufacturing processes. Previous studies of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) seeded on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/graphene scaffolds have proved that the addition of small concentrations of graphene to PCL scaffolds improves cell proliferation. Based on such results, this paper further investigates, for the first time, both in vitro and in vivo characteristics of 3D printed PCL/graphene scaffolds. Scaffolds were evaluated from morphological, biological and short term immune response points of view. Results show that the produced scaffolds induce an acceptable level of immune response, suggesting high potential for in vivo applications. Finally, the scaffolds were used to treat a rat calvaria critical size defect with and without applying micro electrical stimulation (10 μA). Quantification of connective and new bone tissue formation and the levels of ALP, RANK, RANKL, OPG were considered. Results show that the use of scaffolds containing graphene and electrical stimulation seems to increase cell migration and cell influx, leading to new tissue formation, well-organized tissue deposition and bone remodelling.
AUTHOR Huang, Boyang and Vyas, Cian and Roberts, Iwan and Poutrel, Quentin-Arthur and Chiang, Wei-Hung and Blaker, Jonny J. and Huang, Zhucheng and Bártolo, Paulo
Title Fabrication and characterisation of 3D printed MWCNT composite porous scaffolds for bone regeneration [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings Materials Science and Engineering: C
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Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with exceptional physical and chemical properties are attracting significant interest in the field of tissue engineering. Several reports investigated CNTs biocompatibility and their impact in terms of cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation mainly using polymer/CNTs membranes. However, these 2D membranes are not able to emulate the complex in vivo environment. In this paper, additive manufacturing (3D printing) is used to create composite 3D porous scaffolds containing different loadings of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) (0.25, 0.75 and 3 wt%) for bone tissue regeneration. Pre-processed and processed materials were extensively characterised in terms of printability, morphological and topographic characteristics and thermal, mechanical and biological properties. Scaffolds with pore sizes ranging between 366 μm and 397 μm were successfully produced and able to sustain early-stage human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells attachment and proliferation. Results show that MWCNTs enhances protein adsorption, mechanical and biological properties. Composite scaffolds, particularly the 3 wt% loading of MWCNTs, seem to be good candidates for bone tissue regeneration.
AUTHOR Schipani, Rossana and Nolan, David R. and Lally, Caitrίona and Kelly, Daniel J.
Title Integrating finite element modelling and 3D printing to engineer biomimetic polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings Connective Tissue Research
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ABSTRACTThe suitability of a scaffold for tissue engineering is determined by a number of interrelated factors. The biomaterial should be biocompatible and cell instructive, with a porosity and pore interconnectivity that facilitates cellular migration and the transport of nutrients and waste products into and out of the scaffolds. For the engineering of load bearing tissues, the scaffold may also be required to possess specific mechanical properties and/or ensure the transfer of mechanical stimuli to cells to direct their differentiation. Achieving these design goals is challenging, but could potentially be realised by integrating computational tools such as finite element (FE) modelling with three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques to assess how scaffold architecture and material properties influence the performance of the implant. In this study we first use Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) to modulate the architecture of polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds, exploring the influence of varying fibre diameter, spacing and laydown pattern on the structural and mechanical properties of such scaffolds. We next demonstrate that a simple FE modelling strategy, which captures key aspects of the printed scaffold’s actual geometry and material behaviour, can be used to accurately model the mechanical characteristics of such scaffolds. We then show the utility of this strategy by using FE modelling to help design 3D printed scaffolds with mechanical properties mimicking that of articular cartilage. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that a relatively simple FE modelling approach can be used to inform the design of 3D printed scaffolds to ensure their bulk mechanical properties mimic specific target tissues.
AUTHOR Xu, Yichi and Peng, Jiang and Richards, Geoff and Lu, Shibi and Eglin, David
Title Optimization of electrospray fabrication of stem cell–embedded alginate–gelatin microspheres and their assembly in 3D-printed poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings Journal of Orthopaedic Translation
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Objective Our study reports the optimization of electrospray human bone marrow stromal cell (hBMSCs)–embedded alginate–gelatin (Alg-Gel, same as following) microspheres for the purpose of their assembly in 3D-printed poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffold for the fabrication of a mechanically stable and biological supportive tissue engineering cartilage construct. Methods The fabrication of the Alg-Gel microspheres using an electrospray technique was optimized in terms of polydispersity, yield of microspheres and circularity and varying fabrication conditions. PCL scaffolds were designed and printed by melt extrusion. Then, four groups were set: Alg-hBMSC microspheres cultured in the 2D well plate (Alg-hBMSCs+2D) group, Alg-Gel-hBMSC microspheres cultured in the 2D well plate (Alg-Gel-hBMSCs+2D) group, Alg-Gel-hBMSC microspheres embedded in PCL scaffold cultured in the 2D well plate (Alg-Gel-hBMSCs+2D) group and Alg-Gel-hBMSCs microspheres cultured in the 3D bioreactor (Alg-Gel-hBMSCs+3D) group. Cell viability, proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation were evaluated, and mechanical test was performed. Results Nonaggregated, low polydispersity and almost spherical microspheres of average diameter of 200–300 μm were produced with alginate 1.5 w: v%, gelatin (Type B) concentration of 0.5 w: v % and CaCl2 coagulating bath concentration of 3.0 w: v %, using 30G needle size and 8 kV and 0.6 bar voltage and air pressure, respectively. Alginate with gelatin hydrogel improved viability and promoted hBMSC proliferation better than alginate microspheres. Interestingly, hBMSCs embedded in microspheres assembled in 3D-printed PCL scaffold and cultured in a 3D bioreactor were more proliferative in comparison to the previous two groups (p < 0.05). Similarly, the GAG content, GAG/DNA ratio as well as Coll 2 and Aggr gene expression were increased in the last two groups. Conclusion Optimization of hBMSC-embedded Alg-Gel microspheres produced by electrospray has been performed. The Alg-Gel composition selected allows conservation of hBMSC viability and supports proliferation and matrix deposition. The possibility to seed and assemble microspheres in designed 3D-printed PCL scaffolds for the fabrication of a mechanically stable and biological supportive tissue engineering cartilage construct was demonstrated. Translational potential of this article We optimize and demonstrate that electrospray microsphere fabrication is a cytocompatible and facile process to produce the hBMSC-embedded microsize tissue-like particles that can easily be assembled into a stable construct. This finding could have application in the development of mechanically competent stem cell–based tissue engineering of cartilage regeneration.
AUTHOR Rotbaum, Y. and Puiu, C. and Rittel, D. and Domingos, M.
Title Quasi-static and dynamic in vitro mechanical response of 3D printed scaffolds with tailored pore size and architectures [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings Materials Science and Engineering: C
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Scaffold-based Tissue Engineering represents the most promising approach for the regeneration of load bearing skeletal tissues, in particular bone and cartilage. Scaffolds play major role in this process by providing a physical template for cells to adhere and proliferate whilst ensuring an adequate biomechanical support at the defect site. Whereas the quasi static mechanical properties of porous polymeric scaffolds are well documented, the response of these constructs under high strain compressive rates remain poorly understood. Therefore, this study investigates, for the first time, the influence of pore size and geometry on the mechanical behaviour of Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds under quasi static and dynamic conditions. 3D printed scaffolds with varied pore sizes and geometries were obtained using different filament distances (FD) and lay-down patterns, respectively. In particular, by fixing the lay-down pattern at 0/90° and varying the FD between 480 and 980 μm it was possible to generate scaffolds with square pores with dimensions in the range of 150–650 μm and porosities of 59–79%. On the other hand, quadrangular, hexagonal, triangular and complex pore geometries with constant porosity (approx. 70%) were obtained at a fixed FD of 680 μm and imposing four different lay-down patterns of 0/90, 0/60/120, 0/45/90/135 and 0/30/60/90/120/150°, respectively. The mechanical response of printed scaffolds was assessed under two different compression loading regimes spanning five distinct strain rates, from 10−2 to 2000 s−1, using two different apparatus: a conventional screw-driven testing machine (Instron 4483) and a Split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) equipped with a set of A201 Flexi-force™ (FF) force sensors and a pulse shaper. Our results show that the mechanical properties of PCL scaffolds are not strain rate sensitive between 1300 and 2000 s−1 and these strongly depend on the pore size (porosity) rather than pore geometry. Those findings are extremely relevant for the engineering of bone tissue scaffolds with enhanced mechanical stability by providing new data describing the mechanical response of these constructs at high strain rates as well as the at the transition between quasi static and dynamic regimes.
AUTHOR Dooley, Max and Prasopthum, Aruna and Liao, Zhiyu and Sinjab, Faris and McLaren, Jane and Rose, Felicity R. A. J. and Yang, Jing and Notingher, Ioan
Title Spatially-offset Raman spectroscopy for monitoring mineralization of bone tissue engineering scaffolds: feasibility study based on phantom samples [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings Biomedical Optics Express
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Abstract
Using phantom samples, we investigated the feasibility of spatially-offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) as a tool for monitoring non-invasively the mineralization of bone tissue engineering scaffold in-vivo. The phantom samples consisted of 3D-printed scaffolds of poly-caprolactone (PCL) and hydroxyapatite (HA) blends, with varying concentrations of HA, to mimic the mineralisation process. The scaffolds were covered by a 4 mm layer of skin to simulate the real in-vivo measurement conditions. At a concentration of HA approximately 1/3 that of bone (~0.6 g/cm3), the characteristic Raman band of HA (960 cm−1) was detectable when the PCL:HA layer was located at 4 mm depth within the scaffold (i.e. 8 mm below the skin surface). For the layers of the PCL:HA immediately under the skin (i.e. top of the scaffold), the detection limit of HA was 0.18 g/cm3, which is approximately one order of magnitude lower than that of bone. Similar results were also found for the phantoms simulating uniform and inward gradual mineralisation of the scaffold, indicating the suitability of SORS to detect early stages of mineralisation. Nevertheless, the results also show that the contribution of the materials surrounding the scaffold can be significant and methods for subtraction need to be investigated in the future. In conclusion, these results indicate that spatially-offset Raman spectroscopy is a promising technique for in-vivo longitudinal monitoring scaffold mineralization and bone re-growth.
AUTHOR Gloria, Antonio and Frydman, B. and Lamas, Miguel L. and Serra, Armenio C. and Martorelli, Massimo and Coelho, Jorge F. J. and Fonseca, Ana C. and Domingos, M.
Title The influence of poly(ester amide) on the structural and functional features of 3D additive manufactured poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings Materials Science and Engineering: C
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Abstract
The current research reports for the first time the use of blends of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(ester amide) (PEA) for the fabrication of 3D additive manufactured scaffolds. Tailor made PEA was synthesized to afford fully miscible blends of PCL and PEA using different percentages (5, 10, 15 and 20% w/w). Stability, characteristic temperatures and material's compatibility were studied through thermal analyses (i.e., TGA, DSC). Even though DMTA and static compression tests demonstrated the possibility to improve the storage modulus, Young's modulus and maximum stress by increasing the amount of PEA, a decrease of hardness was found beyond a threshold concentration of PEA as the lowest values were achieved for PCL/PEA (20% w/w) scaffolds (from 0.39 ± 0.03 GPa to 0.21 ± 0.02 GPa in the analysed load range). The scaffolds presented a controlled morphology and a fully interconnected network of internal channels. The water contact angle measurements showed a clear increase of hydrophilicity resulting from the addition of PEA. This result was further corroborated with the improved adhesion and proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The presence of PEA also influenced the cell morphology. Better cell spreading and a much higher and homogenous number of cells were observed for PCL/PEA scaffolds when compared to PCL ones.
AUTHOR Caetano, Guilherme and Wang, Weiguang and Murashima, Adriana and Passarini, José Roberto and Bagne, Leonardo and Leite, Marcel and Hyppolito, Miguel and Al-Deyab, Salem and El-Newehy, Mohamed and Bártolo, Paulo and Frade, Marco Andrey Cipriani
Title Tissue Constructs with Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Treat Bone Defects in Rats [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings Materials
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Abstract
The use of porous scaffolds created by additive manufacturing is considered a viable approach for the regeneration of critical-size bone defects. This paper investigates the xenotransplantation of polycaprolactone (PCL) tissue constructs seeded with differentiated and undifferentiated human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) to treat calvarial critical-sized defect in Wistar rats. PCL scaffolds without cells were also considered. In vitro and in vivo biological evaluations were performed to assess the feasibility of these different approaches. In the case of cell seeded scaffolds, it was possible to observe the presence of hADSCs in the rat tissue contributing directly (osteoblasts) and indirectly (stimulation by paracrine factors) to tissue formation, organization and mineralization. The presence of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in the rat tissue treated with cell-seeded PCL scaffolds suggests that the paracrine factors of undifferentiated hADSC cells could stimulate BMP-2 production by surrounding cells, leading to osteogenesis. Moreover, BMP-2 acts synergistically with growth factors to induce angiogenesis, leading to higher numbers of blood vessels in the groups containing undifferentiated and differentiated hADSCs.
AUTHOR Kang, Yuan and Wang, Chaoli and Qiao, Youbei and Gu, Junwei and Zhang, Han and Peijs, Ton and Kong, Jie and Zhang, Guangcheng and Shi, Xuetao
Title Tissue-Engineered Trachea Consisting of Electrospun Patterned sc-PLA/GO-g-IL Fibrous Membranes with Antibacterial Property and 3D-Printed Skeletons with Elasticity [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings Biomacromolecules
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Abstract
In this study, a tissue-engineered trachea, consisting of multilevel structural electrospun polylactide (PLA) membranes enveloping 3D-printed thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) skeletons, was developed to create a mechanically robust, antibacterial and bioresorbable graft for the tracheal reconstruction. The study design incorporated two distinct uses of stereocomplex PLA: patterned electrospun fibers to enhance tissue integration compared to the random layered fibers, meanwhile possessing good antibacterial property; and 3D-printed TPU scaffold with elasticity to provide external support and protection. Herein, ionic liquid (IL)-functioned graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized and presented enhanced mechanical and hydrophilicity properties. More interesting, antibacterial activity of the GO-g-IL modified PLA membranes were proved by Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, showing superior antibacterial effect compared to single GO or IL. The synergistic antibacterial effect could be related to that GO break cytomembrane of bacteria by its extremely sharp edges, while IL works by electrostatic interaction between its cationic structures and electronegative phosphate groups of bacteria membranes, leading to the loss of cell electrolyte and cell death. Hence, after L929 fibroblast cells were seeded on patterned fibrous membranes with phenotypic shape, further effective cell infiltration, cell proliferation and attachment were observed. In addition, the tissue-engineered trachea scaffolds were implanted into rabbit models. The in vivo result confirmed that the scaffolds with patterned membranes manifested favorable biocompatibility and promoted tissue regeneration. In this study, a tissue-engineered trachea, consisting of multilevel structural electrospun polylactide (PLA) membranes enveloping 3D-printed thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) skeletons, was developed to create a mechanically robust, antibacterial and bioresorbable graft for the tracheal reconstruction. The study design incorporated two distinct uses of stereocomplex PLA: patterned electrospun fibers to enhance tissue integration compared to the random layered fibers, meanwhile possessing good antibacterial property; and 3D-printed TPU scaffold with elasticity to provide external support and protection. Herein, ionic liquid (IL)-functioned graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized and presented enhanced mechanical and hydrophilicity properties. More interesting, antibacterial activity of the GO-g-IL modified PLA membranes were proved by Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, showing superior antibacterial effect compared to single GO or IL. The synergistic antibacterial effect could be related to that GO break cytomembrane of bacteria by its extremely sharp edges, while IL works by electrostatic interaction between its cationic structures and electronegative phosphate groups of bacteria membranes, leading to the loss of cell electrolyte and cell death. Hence, after L929 fibroblast cells were seeded on patterned fibrous membranes with phenotypic shape, further effective cell infiltration, cell proliferation and attachment were observed. In addition, the tissue-engineered trachea scaffolds were implanted into rabbit models. The in vivo result confirmed that the scaffolds with patterned membranes manifested favorable biocompatibility and promoted tissue regeneration.
AUTHOR Aied, Ahmed and Song, Wenhui and Wang, Wenxin and Baki, Abdulrahman and Sigen, A.
Title 3D Bioprinting of stimuli-responsive polymers synthesised from DE-ATRP into soft tissue replicas [Abstract]
Year 2018
Journal/Proceedings Bioprinting
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DOI/URL URL DOI
Abstract
Synthetic polymers possess more reproducible physical and chemical properties than their naturally occurring counterparts. They have also emerged as an important alternative for fabricating tissue substitutes because they can be molecularly tailored to have vast array of molecular weights, block structures, active functional groups, and mechanical properties. To this date however, there has been very few successful and fully functional synthetic tissue and organ substitutes and with the rapidly spreading 3D printing technology beginning to reshape the tissue engineering and regenerative field, the need for an effective, safe, and bio printable biomaterial is becoming more and more urgent. Here, we have developed a synthetic polymer from controlled living radical polymerisation that can be printed into well-defined structures. The polymer showed low cytotoxicity before and after printing. Additionally, the incorporation of gelatine-methacrylate coated PLGA microparticles within the hydrogel provided cell adhesion surfaces for cell proliferation. The results point to possible application of the microparticle seeded, synthetic hydrogel as a direct printable tissue or organ substitute.
AUTHOR Caetano, Guilherme Ferreira and Wang, Weiguang and Chiang, Wei-Hung and Cooper, Glen and Diver, Carl and Blaker, Jonny James and Frade, Marco Andrey and Bártolo, Paulo
Title 3D-Printed Poly(ɛ-caprolactone)/Graphene Scaffolds Activated with P1-Latex Protein for Bone Regeneration [Abstract]
Year 2018
Journal/Proceedings 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
Abstract Biomanufacturing is a relatively new research domain focusing on the use of additive manufacturing technologies, biomaterials, cells, and biomolecular signals to produce tissue constructs for tissue engineering. For bone regeneration, researchers are focusing on the use of polymeric and polymer/ceramic scaffolds seeded with osteoblasts or mesenchymal stem cells. However, high-performance scaffolds in terms of mechanical, cell stimulation, and biological performance are still required. This article investigates the use of an extrusion additive manufacturing system to produce poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) and PCL/graphene nanosheet scaffolds for bone applications. Scaffolds with regular and reproducible architecture and uniform dispersion of graphene were produced and coated with P1-latex protein extracted from the Hevea brasiliensis rubber tree. Results show that the obtained scaffolds cultivated with human adipose-derived stem cells present no toxicity effects. The presence of graphene nanosheet and P1-latex protein in the scaffolds increased cell proliferation compared with PCL scaffolds. Moreover, the presence of P1-latex protein promotes earlier osteogenic differentiation, suggesting that PCL/graphene/P1-latex protein scaffolds are suitable for bone regeneration applications.
AUTHOR Wang, Hanxiao and das Neves Domingos, Marco Andre and Scenini, Fabio
Title Advanced mechanical and thermal characterization of 3D bioextruded poly(ε-caprolactone)-based composites [Abstract]
Year 2018
Journal/Proceedings Rapid Prototyping Journal
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
Purpose The main purpose of the present work is to study the effect of nano hydroxyapatite (HA) and graphene oxide (GO) particles on thermal and mechanical performances of 3D printed poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) filaments used in Bone Tissue Engineering (BTE). Design/methodology/approach Raw materials were prepared by melt blending, followed by 3D printing via 3D Discovery (regenHU Ltd., CH) with all fabricating parameters kept constant. Filaments, including pure PCL, PCL/HA, and PCL/GO, were tested under the same conditions. Several techniques were used to mechanically, thermally, and microstructurally evaluate properties of these filaments, including Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), tensile test, nano indentation, and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Findings Results show that both HA and GO nano particles are capable of improving mechanical performance of PCL. Enhanced mechanical properties of PCL/HA result from reinforcing effect of HA, while a different mechanism is observed in PCL/GO, where degree of crystallinity plays an important role. In addition, GO is more efficient at enhancing mechanical performance of PCL compared with HA. Originality/value For the first time, a systematic study about effects of nano HA and GO particles on bioactive scaffolds produced by Additive Manufacturing (AM) for bone tissue engineering applications is conducted in this work. Mechanical and thermal behaviors of each sample, pure PCL, PCL/HA and PCL/GO, are reported, correlated, and compared with literature.
AUTHOR Park, Hae Sang and Lee, Ji Seung and Jung, Harry and Kim, Do Yeon and Kim, Sang Wook and Sultan, Md. Tipu and Park, Chan Hum
Title An omentum-cultured 3D-printed artificial trachea: in vivo bioreactor [Abstract]
Year 2018
Journal/Proceedings Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the prior implantation of a 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) artificial trachea in the omentum is beneficial for revascularization of the scaffold and reduces associated complications in the reconstruction of a circumferential tracheal defect. Ten New Zealand rabbits were divided into 2 groups: (1) PCL-OC group (PCL scaffold cultured in omentum for 2 weeks before transplantation) and (2) PCL group. In the PCL-OC group, newly formed connective tissue completely covered the luminal surface of the scaffold with mild inflammation at 2 weeks postoperatively; a minor degree of stenosis was noted at 8 weeks postoperatively. The PCL group showed scaffold exposure without any tissue regeneration at 2 weeks postoperatively, and a moderate degree of luminal stenosis 6 weeks after implantation. Histology revealed highly organized regenerated tissue composed of ciliated respiratory epithelium, and submucosal layer in the PCL-OC group. Neo-cartilage regeneration was noted in part of the regenerated tissue. The PCL group demonstrated severe inflammation and an unorganized structure compared to that of the PCL-OC group. In vivo omentum culture of the tracheal scaffold before transplantation is beneficial for rapid re-epithelialization and revascularization of the scaffold. It also prevents postoperative luminal stenosis.
AUTHOR Visscher, D. O. and Gleadall, A. and Buskermolen, J. K. and Burla, F. and Segal, J. and Koenderink, G. H. and Helder, M. N. and van Zuijlen, P. P. M.
Title Design and fabrication of a hybrid alginate hydrogel/poly(ε-caprolactone) mold for auricular cartilage reconstruction [Abstract]
Year 2018
Journal/Proceedings Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
Abstract The aim of this study was to design and manufacture an easily assembled cartilage implant model for auricular reconstruction. First, the printing accuracy and mechanical properties of 3D-printed poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) scaffolds with varying porosities were determined to assess overall material properties. Next, the applicability of alginate as cell carrier for the cartilage implant model was determined. Using the optimal outcomes of both experiments (in terms of (bio)mechanical properties, cell survival, neocartilage formation, and printing accuracy), a hybrid auricular implant model was developed. PCL scaffolds with 600 μm distances between strands exhibited the best mechanical properties and most optimal printing quality for further exploration. In alginate, chondrocytes displayed high cell survival (~83% after 21 days) and produced cartilage-like matrix in vitro. Alginate beads cultured in proliferation medium exhibited slightly higher compressive moduli (6 kPa) compared to beads cultured in chondrogenic medium (3.5 kPa, p > .05). The final auricular mold could be printed with 300 μm pores and high fidelity, and the injected chondrocytes survived the culture period of 21 days. The presented hybrid auricular mold appears to be an adequate model for cartilage tissue engineering and may provide a novel approach to auricular cartilage regeneration for facial reconstruction. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res B Part B: Appl Biomater, 2018.
AUTHOR Prasopthum, Aruna and Shakesheff, Kevin M. and Yang, Jing
Title Direct three-dimensional printing of polymeric scaffolds with nanofibrous topography [Abstract]
Year 2018
Journal/Proceedings Biofabrication
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Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a powerful manufacturing tool for making 3D structures with well-defined architectures for a wide range of applications. The field of tissue engineering has also adopted this technology to fabricate scaffolds for tissue regeneration. The ability to control architecture of scaffolds, e.g. matching anatomical shapes and having defined pore size, has since been improved significantly. However, the material surface of these scaffolds is smooth and does not resemble that found in natural extracellular matrix (ECM), in particular, the nanofibrous morphology of collagen. This natural nanoscale morphology plays a critical role in cell behaviour. Here, we have developed a new approach to directly fabricate polymeric scaffolds with an ECM-like nanofibrous topography and defined architectures using extrusion-based 3D printing. 3D printed tall scaffolds with interconnected pores were created with disparate features spanning from nanometres to centimetres. Our approach removes the need for a sacrificial mould and subsequent mould removal compared to previous methods. Moreover, the nanofibrous topography of the 3D printed scaffolds significantly enhanced protein absorption, cell adhesion and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells when compared to those with smooth material surfaces. These 3D printed scaffolds with both defined architectures and nanoscale ECM-mimicking morphologies have potential applications in cartilage and bone regeneration.
AUTHOR Zamani, Yasaman and Mohammadi, Javad and Amoabediny, Ghassem and Visscher, Dafydd O. and Helder, Marco N. and Zandieh-Doulabi, Behrouz and Klein-Nulend, Jenneke
Title Enhanced osteogenic activity by {MC}3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts on chemically surface-modified poly($upepsilon$-caprolactone) 3D-printed scaffolds compared to {RGD} immobilized scaffolds [Abstract]
Year 2018
Journal/Proceedings Biomedical Materials
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
In bone tissue engineering, the intrinsic hydrophobicity and surface smoothness of three-dimensional (3D)-printed poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds hamper cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation. This intrinsic hydrophobicity of poly(ε-caprolactone) can be overcome by surface modifications, such as surface chemical modification or immobilization of biologically active molecules on the surface. Moreover, surface chemical modification may alter surface smoothness. Whether surface chemical modification or immobilization of a biologically active molecule on the surface is more effective to enhance pre-osteoblast proliferation and differentiation is currently unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the osteogenic response of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts to chemically surface-modified and RGD-immobilized 3D-printed poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds. Poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds were 3D-printed consisting of strands deposited layer by layer with alternating 0°/90° lay-down pattern. 3D-printed poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds were surface-modified by either chemical modification using 3 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for 24 or 72 h, or by RGD-immobilization. Strands were visualized by scanning electron microscopy. MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts were seeded onto the scaffolds and cultured up to 14 d. The strands of the unmodified poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffold had a smooth surface. NaOH treatment changed the scaffold surface topography from smooth to a honeycomb-like surface pattern, while RGD immobilization did not alter the surface topography. MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast seeding efficiency was similar (44%–54%) on all scaffolds after 12 h. Cell proliferation increased from day 1 to day 14 in unmodified controls (1.9-fold), 24 h NaOH-treated scaffolds (3-fold), 72 h NaOH-treated scaffolds (2.2-fold), and RGD-immobilized scaffolds (4.5-fold). At day 14, increased collagenous matrix deposition was achieved only on 24 h NaOH-treated (1.8-fold) and RGD-immobilized (2.2-fold) scaffolds compared to unmodified controls. Moreover, 24 h, but not 72 h, NaOH-treated scaffolds, increased alkaline phosphatase activity by 5-fold, while the increase by RGD immobilization was only 2.5-fold. Only 24 h NaOH-treated scaffolds enhanced mineralization (2.0-fold) compared to unmodified controls. In conclusion, RGD immobilization (0.011 μg mg−1 scaffold) on the surface and 24 h NaOH treatment of the surface of 3D-printed PCL scaffold both enhance pre-osteoblast proliferation and matrix deposition while only 24 h NaOH treatment results in increased osteogenic activity, making it the treatment of choice to promote bone formation by osteogenic cells.
AUTHOR Romanazzo, S. and Vedicherla, S. and Moran, C. and Kelly, D. J.
Title Meniscus ECM‐functionalised hydrogels containing infrapatellar fat pad‐derived stem cells for bioprinting of regionally defined meniscal tissue [Abstract]
Year 2018
Journal/Proceedings Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
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Abstract
Abstract Injuries to the meniscus of the knee commonly lead to osteoarthritis. Current therapies for meniscus regeneration, including meniscectomies and scaffold implantation, fail to achieve complete functional regeneration of the tissue. This has led to increased interest in cell and gene therapies and tissue engineering approaches to meniscus regeneration. The implantation of a biomimetic implant, incorporating cells, growth factors, and extracellular matrix (ECM)‐derived proteins, represents a promising approach to functional meniscus regeneration. The objective of this study was to develop a range of ECM‐functionalised bioinks suitable for 3D bioprinting of meniscal tissue. To this end, alginate hydrogels were functionalised with ECM derived from the inner and outer regions of the meniscus and loaded with infrapatellar fat pad‐derived stem cells. In the absence of exogenously supplied growth factors, inner meniscus ECM promoted chondrogenesis of fat pad‐derived stem cells, whereas outer meniscus ECM promoted a more elongated cell morphology and the development of a more fibroblastic phenotype. With exogenous growth factors supplementation, a more fibrogenic phenotype was observed in outer ECM‐functionalised hydrogels supplemented with connective tissue growth factor, whereas inner ECM‐functionalised hydrogels supplemented with TGFβ3 supported the highest levels of Sox‐9 and type II collagen gene expression and sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) deposition. The final phase of the study demonstrated the printability of these ECM‐functionalised hydrogels, demonstrating that their codeposition with polycaprolactone microfibres dramatically improved the mechanical properties of the 3D bioprinted constructs with no noticeable loss in cell viability. These bioprinted constructs represent an exciting new approach to tissue engineering of functional meniscal grafts.
AUTHOR Siqueira, Gilberto and Kokkinis, Dimitri and Libanori, Rafael and Hausmann, Michael K. and Gladman, Amelia Sydney and Neels, Antonia and Tingaut, Philippe and Zimmermann, Tanja and Lewis, Jennifer A. and Studart, André R.
Title Cellulose Nanocrystal Inks for 3D Printing of Textured Cellular Architectures [Abstract]
Year 2017
Journal/Proceedings Advanced Functional Materials
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Abstract
3D printing of renewable building blocks like cellulose nanocrystals offers an attractive pathway for fabricating sustainable structures. Here, viscoelastic inks composed of anisotropic cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) that enable patterning of 3D objects by direct ink writing are designed and formulated. These concentrated inks are composed of CNC particles suspended in either water or a photopolymerizable monomer solution. The shear-induced alignment of these anisotropic building blocks during printing is quantified by atomic force microscopy, polarized light microscopy, and 2D wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements. Akin to the microreinforcing effect in plant cell walls, the alignment of CNC particles during direct writing yields textured composites with enhanced stiffness along the printing direction. The observations serve as an important step forward toward the development of sustainable materials for 3D printing of cellular architectures with tailored mechanical properties.
AUTHOR D'Amora, Ugo and D'Este, Matteo and Eglin, David and Safari, Fatemeh and Sprecher, Christoph and Gloria, Antonio and De Santis, Roberto and Alini, Mauro and Ambrosio, Luigi
Title Collagen Density Gradient on 3D Printed Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Scaffolds for Interface Tissue Engineering
Year 2017
Journal/Proceedings Journal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
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DOI/URL DOI
AUTHOR Mouser, V. H. M. and Abbadessa, A. and Levato, R. and Hennink, W. E. and Vermonden, T. and Gawlitta, D. and Malda, J.
Title Development of a thermosensitive HAMA-containing bio-ink for the fabrication of composite cartilage repair constructs [Abstract]
Year 2017
Journal/Proceedings Biofabrication
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Abstract
Fine-tuning of bio-ink composition and material processing parameters is crucial for the development of biomechanically relevant cartilage constructs. This study aims to design and develop cartilage constructs with tunable internal architectures and relevant mechanical properties. More specifically, the potential of methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA) added to thermosensitive hydrogels composed of methacrylated poly[ N -(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide mono/dilactate] (pHPMA-lac)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) triblock copolymers, to optimize cartilage-like tissue formation by embedded chondrocytes, and enhance printability was explored. Additionally, co-printing with polycaprolactone (PCL) was performed for mechanical reinforcement. Chondrocyte-laden hydrogels composed of pHPMA-lac-PEG and different concentrations of HAMA (0%–1% w/w) were cultured for 28 d in vitro and subsequently evaluated for the presence of cartilage-like matrix. Young’s moduli were determined for hydrogels with the different HAMA concentrations. Additionally, hydrogel/PCL constructs with different internal architectures were co-printed and analyzed for their mechanical properties. The results of this study demonstrated a dose-dependent effect of HAMA concentration on cartilage matrix synthesis by chondrocytes. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen type II content increased with intermediate HAMA concentrations (0.25%–0.5%) compared to HAMA-free controls, while a relatively high HAMA concentration (1%) resulted in increased fibrocartilage formation. Young’s moduli of generated hydrogel constructs ranged from 14 to 31 kPa and increased with increasing HAMA concentration. The pHPMA-lac-PEG hydrogels with 0.5% HAMA were found to be optimal for cartilage-like tissue formation. Therefore, this hydrogel system was co-printed with PCL to generate porous or solid constructs with different mesh sizes. Young’s moduli of these composite constructs were in the range of native cartilage (3.5–4.6 MPa). Interestingly, the co-printing procedure influenced the mechanical properties of the final constructs. These findings are relevant for future bio-ink development, as they demonstrate the importance of selecting proper HAMA concentrations, as well as appropriate print settings and construct designs for optimal cartilage matrix deposition and final mechanical properties of constructs, respectively.
AUTHOR Stichler, Simone and Böck, Thomas and Paxton, Naomi Claire and Bertlein, Sarah and Levato, Riccardo and Schill, Verena and Smolan, Willi and Malda, Jos and Tessmar, Joerg and Blunk, Torsten and Groll, Juergen
Title Double printing of hyaluronic acid / poly(glycidol) hybrid hydrogels with poly(ε-caprolactone) for MSC chondrogenesis [Abstract]
Year 2017
Journal/Proceedings Biofabrication
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
Abstract This study investigates the use of allyl-functionalized poly(glycidol)s (P(AGE-co-G)) as cytocompatible cross-linker for thiol-functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA-SH) and the optimization of this hybrid hydrogel as bioink for 3D bioprinting. Chemical cross-linking of gels with 10 wt.% overall polymer concentration was achieved by UV-induced radical thiol-ene coupling between the thiol and allyl groups. Addition of unmodified high molecular weight HA (1.36 MDa) allowed tuning of the rheology for extrusion based bioprinting. Incorporation of additional HA resulted in hydrogels with lower Young’s modulus and higher swelling ratio especially in the first 24 h, but a comparable equilibrium swelling for all gels after 24 h. Embedding of human and equine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the gels and subsequent in vitro culture showed promising chondrogenic differentiation after 21 d for cells from both origins. Moreover, cells could be printed with these gels, and embedded hMSCs showed good cell survival for at least 21 d in culture. To achieve mechanical stable and robust constructs for the envisioned application in articular cartilage, the formulations were adjusted for double printing with the thermoplastic poly--caprolactone (PCL).
AUTHOR Liao, Zhiyu and Sinjab, Faris and Nommeots-Nomm, Amy and Jones, Julian and Ruiz-Cantu, Laura and Yang, Jing and Rose, Felicity and Notingher, Ioan
Title Feasibility of Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy for in Vitro and in Vivo Monitoring Mineralization of Bone Tissue Engineering Scaffolds [Abstract]
Year 2017
Journal/Proceedings Analytical Chemistry
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Abstract
We investigated the feasibility of using spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) for nondestructive characterization of bone tissue engineering scaffolds. The deep regions of these scaffolds, or scaffolds implanted subcutaneously in live animals, are typically difficult to measure by confocal Raman spectroscopy techniques because of the limited depth penetration of light caused by the high level of light scattering. Layered samples consisting of bioactive glass foams (IEIC16), three-dimensional (3D)-printed biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffolds (PLGA), and hydroxyapatite powder (HA) were used to mimic nondestructive detection of biomineralization for intact real-size 3D tissue engineering constructs. SORS spectra were measured with a new SORS instrument using a digital micromirror device (DMD) to allow software selection of the spatial offsets. The results show that HA can be reliably detected at depths of 0–2.3 mm, which corresponds to the maximum accessible spatial offset of the current instrument. The intensity ratio of Raman bands associated with the scaffolds and HA with the spatial offset depended on the depth at which HA was located. Furthermore, we show the feasibility for in vivo monitoring mineralization of scaffold implanted subcutaneously by demonstrating the ability to measure transcutaneously Raman signals of the scaffolds and HA (fresh chicken skin used as a top layer). The ability to measure spectral depth profiles at high speed (5 s acquisition time) and the ease of implementation make SORS a promising approach for noninvasive characterization of cell/tissue development in vitro, and for long-term in vivo monitoring the mineralization in 3D scaffolds subcutaneously implanted in small animals.
AUTHOR Mancini, Irina and Vindas Bolaños, Rafael and Brommer, Harold and Castilho, Miguel and Ribeiro, Alexandro and van Loon, Johannes and Mensinga, Anneloes and Rijen, Mattie and Malda, Jos and van Weeren, Paul
Title Fixation of hydrogel constructs for cartilage repair in the equine model: a challenging issue [Abstract]
Year 2017
Journal/Proceedings Tissue Engineering Part C: Methods
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Abstract
u> Objective To evaluate the use of commercial and autologous fibrin glue and of an alternative method based on a 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) anchor for the fixation of hydrogel-based scaffolds in an equine model for cartilage repair. Methods In a first study, three different hydrogel-based materials were orthotopically implanted in nine horses for 1-4 weeks in 6mm diameter full thickness cartilage defects in the medial femoral trochlear ridge and fixated with commercially available fibrin glue (CFG). One defect was filled with CFG only as a control. In a second study, CFG and autologous fibrin glue (AFG) were compared in an ectopic equine model. The third study compared the efficacy of AFG and a 3D-printed PCL-based osteal anchor for fixation of PCL-reinforced hydrogels in 3 horses for 2 weeks, with a 4 week follow-up to evaluate integration of bone with the PCL anchor. Short-term scaffold integration and cell infiltration were evaluated by micro-CT and histology as outcome parameters. Results The first study showed signs of subchondral bone resorption in all defects, including the controls filled with CFG only, with significant infiltration of neutrophils. Ectopically, CFG induced clear inflammation with strong neutrophil accumulation, AFG was less reactive, showing fibroblast infiltration only. In the third study the fixation potential for PCL-reinforced hydrogels of AFG was inferior to the PCL anchor. PCL-reinforcement had disappeared from two defects and showed signs of dislodging in the remaining four. All 6 constructs fixated with the PCL anchor were still in place after 2 weeks. At 4 weeks, the PCL anchor showed good integration and signs of new bone formation. Conclusions The use of AFG should be preferred to xenogeneic products in the horse, but AFG is subject to individual variations and laborious to make. The PCL anchor provide the best fixation, however this technique involves the whole osteochondral unit, which entails a different conceptual approach to cartilage repair.
AUTHOR Dalton, Paul D.
Title Melt electrowriting with additive manufacturing principles [Abstract]
Year 2017
Journal/Proceedings Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering
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DOI/URL URL DOI
Abstract
Abstract The recent development of electrostatic writing (electrowriting) with molten jets provides an opportunity to tackle some significant challenges within tissue engineering. The process uses an applied voltage to generate a stable fluid jet with a predictable path, that is continuously deposited onto a collector. The fiber diameter is variable during the process, and is applicable to polymers with a history of clinical use. Melt electrowriting therefore has potential for clinical translation if the biological efficacy of the implant can be improved over existing gold standards. It provides a unique opportunity for laboratories to perform low-cost, high resolution, additive manufacturing research that is well positioned for clinical translation, using existing regulatory frameworks.
AUTHOR Daly, Andrew C. and Cunniffe, Gr{'{a}}inne M. and Sathy, Binulal N. and Jeon, Oju and Alsberg, Eben and Kelly, Daniel J.
Title 3D Bioprinting of Developmentally Inspired Templates for Whole Bone Organ Engineering [Abstract]
Year 2016
Journal/Proceedings Advanced Healthcare Materials
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
The ability to print defined patterns of cells and extracellular-matrix components in three dimensions has enabled the engineering of simple biological tissues; however, bioprinting functional solid organs is beyond the capabilities of current biofabrication technologies. An alternative approach would be to bioprint the developmental precursor to an adult organ, using this engineered rudiment as a template for subsequent organogenesis in vivo. This study demonstrates that developmentally inspired hypertrophic cartilage templates can be engineered in vitro using stem cells within a supporting gamma-irradiated alginate bioink incorporating Arg-Gly-Asp adhesion peptides. Furthermore, these soft tissue templates can be reinforced with a network of printed polycaprolactone fibers, resulting in a ≈350 fold increase in construct compressive modulus providing the necessary stiffness to implant such immature cartilaginous rudiments into load bearing locations. As a proof-of-principal, multiple-tool biofabrication is used to engineer a mechanically reinforced cartilaginous template mimicking the geometry of a vertebral body, which in vivo supported the development of a vascularized bone organ containing trabecular-like endochondral bone with a supporting marrow structure. Such developmental engineering approaches could be applied to the biofabrication of other solid organs by bioprinting precursors that have the capacity to mature into their adult counterparts over time in vivo.
AUTHOR Sommer, Marianne R. and Schaffner, Manuel and Carnelli, Davide and Studart, André R.
Title 3D Printing of Hierarchical Silk Fibroin Structures [Abstract]
Year 2016
Journal/Proceedings ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
Like many other natural materials, silk is hierarchically structured from the amino acid level up to the cocoon or spider web macroscopic structures. Despite being used industrially in a number of applications, hierarchically structured silk fibroin objects with a similar degree of architectural control as in natural structures have not been produced yet due to limitations in fabrication processes. In a combined top-down and bottom-up approach, we exploit the freedom in macroscopic design offered by 3D printing and the template-guided assembly of ink building blocks at the meso- and nanolevel to fabricate hierarchical silk porous materials with unprecedented structural control. Pores with tunable sizes in the range 40–350 μm are generated by adding sacrificial organic microparticles as templates to a silk fibroin-based ink. Commercially available wax particles or monodisperse polycaprolactone made by microfluidics can be used as microparticle templates. Since closed pores are generated after template removal, an ultrasonication treatment can optionally be used to achieve open porosity. Such pore templating particles can be further modified with nanoparticles to create a hierarchical template that results in porous structures with a defined nanotopography on the pore walls. The hierarchically porous silk structures obtained with this processing technique can potentially be utilized in various application fields from structural materials to thermal insulation to tissue engineering scaffolds.
AUTHOR Daly, Andrew C. and Critchley, Susan E. and Rencsok, Emily M. and Kelly, Daniel J.
Title A comparison of different bioinks for 3D bioprinting of fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage [Abstract]
Year 2016
Journal/Proceedings Biofabrication
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DOI/URL URL
Abstract
Cartilage is a dense connective tissue with limited self-repair capabilities. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) laden hydrogels are commonly used for fibrocartilage and articular cartilage tissue engineering, however they typically lack the mechanical integrity for implantation into high load bearing environments. This has led to increased interested in 3D bioprinting of cell laden hydrogel bioinks reinforced with stiffer polymer fibres. The objective of this study was to compare a range of commonly used hydrogel bioinks (agarose, alginate, GelMA and BioINK™) for their printing properties and capacity to support the development of either hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage in vitro . Each hydrogel was seeded with MSCs, cultured for 28 days in the presence of TGF- β 3 and then analysed for markers indicative of differentiation towards either a fibrocartilaginous or hyaline cartilage-like phenotype. Alginate and agarose hydrogels best supported the development of hyaline-like cartilage, as evident by the development of a tissue staining predominantly for type II collagen. In contrast, GelMA and BioINK ™ (a PEGMA based hydrogel) supported the development of a more fibrocartilage-like tissue, as evident by the development of a tissue containing both type I and type II collagen. GelMA demonstrated superior printability, generating structures with greater fidelity, followed by the alginate and agarose bioinks. High levels of MSC viability were observed in all bioinks post-printing (∼80%). Finally we demonstrate that it is possible to engineer mechanically reinforced hydrogels with high cell viability by co-depositing a hydrogel bioink with polycaprolactone filaments, generating composites with bulk compressive moduli comparable to articular cartilage. This study demonstrates the importance of the choice of bioink when bioprinting different cartilaginous tissues for musculoskeletal applications.
AUTHOR Visscher, Dafydd O. and Bos, Ernst J. and Peeters, Mirte and Kuzmin, Nikolay V. and Groot, Marie Louise and Helder, Marco N. and van Zuijlen, Paul P. M.
Title Cartilage Tissue Engineering: Preventing Tissue Scaffold Contraction Using a 3D-Printed Polymeric Cage. [Abstract]
Year 2016
Journal/Proceedings Tissue engineering Part C: Methods
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DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
Scaffold contraction is a common but underestimated problem in the field of tissue engineering. It becomes particularly problematic when creating anatomically complex shapes such as the ear. The aim of this study was to develop a contraction-free biocompatible scaffold construct for ear cartilage tissue engineering. To address this aim, we used three constructs: (i) a fibrin/hyaluronic acid (FB/HA) hydrogel, (ii) a FB/HA hydrogel combined with a collagen I/III scaffold, and (iii) a cage construct containing (ii) surrounded by a 3D-printed poly-varepsilon-caprolactone mold. A wide range of different cell types were tested within these constructs, including chondrocytes, perichondrocytes, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and their combinations. After in vitro culturing for 1, 14, and 28 days, all constructs were analyzed. Macroscopic observation showed severe contraction of the cell-seeded hydrogel (i). This could be prevented, in part, by combining the hydrogel with the collagen scaffold (ii) and prevented in total using the 3D-printed cage construct (iii). (Immuno)histological analysis, multiphoton laser scanning microscopy, and biomechanical analysis showed extracellular matrix deposition and increased Young's modulus and thereby the feasibility of ear cartilage engineering. These results demonstrated that the 3D-printed cage construct is an adequate model for contraction-free ear cartilage engineering using a range of cell combinations.
AUTHOR Ruiz-Cantu, Laura and Gleadall, Andrew and Faris, Callum and Segal, Joel and Shakesheff, Kevin and Yang, Jing
Title Characterisation of the surface structure of 3D printed scaffolds for cell infiltration and surgical suturing [Abstract]
Year 2016
Journal/Proceedings Biofabrication
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DOI/URL URL
Abstract
3D printing is of great interest for tissue engineering scaffolds due to the ability to form complex geometries and control internal structures, including porosity and pore size. The porous structure of scaffolds plays an important role in cell ingrowth and nutrition infusion. Although the internal porosity and pore size of 3D printed scaffolds have been frequently studied, the surface porosity and pore size, which are critical for cell infiltration and mass transport, have not been investigated. The surface geometry can differ considerably from the internal scaffold structure depending on the 3D printing process. It is vital to be able to control the surface geometry of scaffolds as well as the internal structure to fabricate optimal architectures. This work presents a method to control the surface porosity and pore size of 3D printed scaffolds. Six scaffold designs have been printed with surface porosities ranging from 3% to 21%. We have characterised the overall scaffold porosity and surface porosity using optical microscopy and microCT. It has been found that surface porosity has a significant impact on cell infiltration and proliferation. In addition, the porosity of the surface has been found to have an effect on mechanical properties and on the forces required to penetrate the scaffold with a surgical suturing needle. To the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the surface geometry of extrusion-based 3D printed scaffolds and demonstrates the importance of surface geometry in cell infiltration and clinical manipulation.
AUTHOR Wang, Weiguang and Caetano, Guilherme and Chiang, Wei-Hung and Sousa, Ana Leticia and Blaker, Jonny and Frade, M. A. R. C. O. and Frade, Cipriani and Jorge Bártolo, Paulo
Title Morphological, mechanical and biological assessment of PCL/pristine graphene scaffolds for bone regeneration [Abstract]
Year 2016
Journal/Proceedings International Journal of Bioprinting
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DOI/URL URL
Abstract
Scaffolds are physical substrates for cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation, ultimately leading to the regeneration of tissues. They must be designed according to specific biomechanical requirements such as mechanical properties, surface characteristics, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and porosity. The optimal design of a scaffold for a specific tissue strongly depends on both materials and manufacturing processes. Polymeric scaffolds reinforced with electro-active particles could play a key role in tissue engineering by modulating cell proliferation and differentiation. This paper investigates the use of an extrusion additive manufacturing system to produce PCL/pristine graphene scaffolds for bone tissue applications. PCL/pristine graphene blends were prepared using a melt blending process. Scaffolds with regular and reproducible architecture were produced with different concentrations of pristine graphene. Scaffolds were evaluated from morphological, mechanical, and biological view. The results suggest that the addition of pristine graphene improves the mechanical performance of the scaffolds, reduces the hydrophobicity, and improves cell viability and proliferation.
AUTHOR Kokkinis, Dimitri and Schaffner, Manuel and Studart, Andr{'{e}} R.
Title Multimaterial magnetically assisted 3D printing of composite materials
Year 2015
Journal/Proceedings Nature Communications
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DOI/URL DOI