Investigation of 3D-Printed Polycaprolactone-/Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Based Constructs

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Cartilage defects represent a significant clinical challenge.
• 3D printing offers a promising approach for fabricating functional tissue engineering scaffolds.
• Developing biocompatible and mechanically robust materials is crucial for cartilage repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the mechanical and biological performance of 3D printed cartilage-like constructs.
• To investigate the effect of incorporating chitosan (CS), hyaluronic acid (HA), and alginic acid sodium salt (SA) into a poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) matrix.
• To identify optimal formulations for enhanced cartilage regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of composite scaffolds using 3D printing with PCL, PVP, and individual fillers (CS, HA, SA).
• Comprehensive characterization including thermal, mechanical, morphological, and chemical analyses.
• Assessment of swelling, degradation, and in vitro biocompatibility using mesenchymal stem cells.

Main Results:

• Incorporation of fillers increased the melting temperature of the PCL matrix, with PCL/PVP/HA showing the highest value.
• The PCL/PVP/CS composite exhibited the highest compressive strength (9.51 MPa).
• The PCL/PVP/HA composite demonstrated superior in vitro cell viability, indicating enhanced biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• 3D printed composite scaffolds show potential for cartilage tissue engineering.
• Hyaluronic acid and chitosan incorporation can modulate mechanical and biological properties.
• The PCL/PVP/HA composite presents a promising candidate for enhanced cell response in cartilage regeneration.