Scaffold and growth factor selection in temporomandibular joint disc engineering

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc tissue engineering faces challenges with construct contraction and insufficient matrix production.
• Polymeric scaffolds are crucial for TMJ disc regeneration, but material choice impacts construct stability and mechanical integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) non-woven meshes against polyglycolic acid (PGA) controls for TMJ disc tissue engineering.
• To assess the effect of growth factor stimulation on PLLA scaffold-based TMJ disc constructs.
• To determine if PLLA meshes can limit construct contraction and enable mechanical evaluation.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of PLLA and PGA non-woven meshes in TMJ disc constructs over 4 weeks.
• Mechanical testing (tension and compression) of constructs.
• Evaluation of cell proliferation, matrix deposition (collagen, GAGs), and construct contraction.
• Treatment of PLLA constructs with insulin-like growth factor-1, transforming growth factor-beta 1, or transforming growth factor-beta 3.

Main Results:

• PGA constructs showed significant contraction, while PLLA constructs maintained structural integrity for mechanical testing.
• Cell proliferation and matrix deposition were comparable between PLLA and PGA at 4 weeks.
• Transforming growth factor-beta 1 treatment of PLLA constructs resulted in the highest cell numbers, collagen, and glycosaminoglycans at 6 weeks, with improved mechanics.

Conclusions:

• Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) non-woven meshes demonstrate significant potential for temporomandibular joint disc tissue engineering by limiting contraction.
• Transforming growth factor-beta 1 is a promising growth factor for enhancing cell proliferation, matrix deposition, and mechanical properties in PLLA-based TMJ disc constructs.