Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026
10:28
Biological Compatibility Profile on Biomaterials for Bone Regeneration
Published on: November 16, 2018
13.4K
Hyperelastic "bone": A highly versatile, growth factor-free, osteoregenerative, scalable, and surgically friendly
Adam E Jakus1, Alexandra L Rutz2, Sumanas W Jordan3
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Science Translational Medicine
|September 30, 2016
Summary
A novel hyperelastic bone (HB) biomaterial, 3D-printed from hydroxyapatite and polymers, rapidly regenerates bone. This synthetic material demonstrates excellent biocompatibility and osteogenic potential in vitro and in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Current osteoregenerative biomaterials face limitations in speed, reproducibility, cost, manufacturing, and surgical handling.
- There is a critical need for advanced biomaterials that overcome these deficiencies for effective bone regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel, synthetic osteoregenerative biomaterial, hyperelastic bone (HB).
- To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo performance of 3D-printed HB for bone regeneration applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized HB using 90 wt% hydroxyapatite and 10 wt% polycaprolactone or poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid).
- Utilized rapid 3D printing (up to 275 cm³/hour) from room temperature extruded liquid inks.
- Assessed mechanical properties, porosity, cell viability, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation in vitro.
- Evaluated biocompatibility, vascularization, tissue integration, and bone formation in vivo using mouse, rat, and non-human primate models.
Main Results:
- 3D-printed HB exhibited elastic mechanical properties (32–67% strain to failure, 4–11 MPa modulus) and 50% porosity.
- HB supported human mesenchymal stem cell viability, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation in vitro without added factors.
- In vivo studies demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, vascularization, tissue integration, and rapid new bone formation in various animal models.
- HB successfully ossified and promoted bone growth in a non-human primate calvarial defect model.
Conclusions:
- Hyperelastic bone (HB) is a promising synthetic biomaterial for rapid and effective osteoregeneration.
- The 3D-printable nature and inherent osteoinductive properties of HB address key limitations of existing bone graft substitutes.
- HB shows significant potential for clinical applications in orthopedic and craniofacial reconstruction.
Related Concept Videos
01:40Bone Remodeling
40.9K
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
40.9K
01:31Bone Remodeling and Repair
7.5K
7.5K
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
4.6K
Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during...
4.6K
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
6.2K
Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the...
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the...
6.2K
01:18The Bone Matrix
6.4K
Bone contains a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of collagen fibers that provide an adherent surface for inorganic salt crystals. Both components of the matrix, organic and inorganic, contribute to the unusual properties of bone. Without collagen, bones would be brittle and shatter easily. Without mineral crystals, bones would flex and provide little support. This can be observed by an experiment: when the minerals of a bone are dissolved by soaking the bone in...
6.4K
01:29Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification
12.8K
Intramembranous ossification is one of the two processes involved in the development of bones within an embryo. The flat bones of the face, most of the cranial bones, and the clavicles are formed via this process. During intramembranous ossification, the bones develop directly from sheets of undifferentiated mesenchymal connective tissue.
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into ...
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into ...
12.8K