Characterization of printed PLA scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Autografts are the gold standard in orthopedic transplantation but have limitations.
• Bone tissue engineering offers alternative strategies using synthetic biomaterials as scaffolds.
• Poly(lactic) acid (PLA) is a promising synthetic polymer for scaffold development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate poly(lactic) acid (PLA) scaffolds with varying pore sizes using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).
• To evaluate the physicochemical and biological properties of these PLA scaffolds.
• To assess the suitability of FDM-fabricated scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of PLA scaffolds with three distinct pore sizes using FDM.
• Characterization of structural, chemical, and mechanical properties.
• Assessment of cytotoxicity and cell viability using human bone marrow stromal cells (HBMSC) after gamma irradiation sterilization.

Main Results:

• PLA scaffolds with different pore sizes were successfully fabricated, though dimensions were slightly smaller than intended.
• The FDM process reduced PLA molecular weight and degradation temperatures but preserved its semicrystalline structure.
• Scaffold pore size did not influence mechanical properties.
• Sterilized scaffolds showed no cytotoxicity, and HBMSC exhibited high viability and homogenous distribution after 3 and 7 days of culture, irrespective of pore size.

Conclusions:

• Fused Deposition Modeling is a rapid and reproducible technique for creating custom 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering.
• PLA scaffolds produced via FDM are biocompatible and support human bone marrow stromal cell growth.
• FDM-fabricated PLA scaffolds show potential for orthopedic transplantation applications.