Biofabrication and Bone Tissue Regeneration: Cell Source, Approaches, and Challenges

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Increasing prevalence of bone disorders and an aging population necessitate advanced bone repair therapies.
• Conventional bone grafts have limitations, driving the need for alternatives like bone tissue engineering.
• Skeletal tissue engineering faces challenges hindering clinical translation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current research in bone biofabrication using additive manufacturing.
• To examine suitable cells and signaling factors for successful bone regeneration.
• To identify limitations affecting bone biofabrication approaches.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on bone biofabrication techniques, particularly additive manufacturing.
• Analysis of cell types and signaling factors critical for osteogenesis and osseointegration.
• Evaluation of scaffold design, including customization, cell delivery, and stimuli release.

Main Results:

• Additive manufacturing enables accurate, reproducible, and customized scaffold fabrication for bone tissue engineering.
• Selection of appropriate cells and signaling factors is crucial for effective bone regeneration.
• Key challenges include achieving vascularized scaffolds and controlled spatiotemporal release of biochemical and mechanical stimuli.

Conclusions:

• Bone biofabrication via additive manufacturing presents a promising solution for bone defect repair.
• Overcoming challenges in vascularization and stimuli delivery is essential for clinical success.
• Further research is needed to improve osseointegration and osteogenesis for widespread clinical application.