Bone response to 3D periodic hydroxyapatite scaffolds with and without tailored microporosity to deliver bone...

Three types of model hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds were implanted in the metacarpal and metatarsal bones of goats. Scaffolds, consisting of a latticed pattern of rods, were fabricated with a solid freeform fabrication (SFF) technique. All scaffolds contained macropores; some were also fabricated with micropores (5.2 +/- 2.0 microm). Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) was added to some microporous scaffolds. rhBMP-2 caused increased percent filled with bone tissue compared to microporous scaffolds without rhBMP-2. Lamellar bone in the scaffolds was aligned perpendicular to the long axis of the bone near the junctions of the rods that make up the scaffold but was more random away from the junctions of rods. Microporous scaffolds stained beneath areas of contact with new bone. This staining might indicate either extracellular matrix (ECM) in the rods, byproducts of ECM production, or reaction of cellular products with the scaffold.