3D Printed Porous Methacrylate/Silica Hybrid Scaffold for Bone Substitution

Inorganic-organic hybrid biomaterials made with star polymer poly(methyl methacrylate-co-3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate) and silica_, which show promising mechanical properties, are 3D printed as bone substitutes for the first time, by direct ink writing of the sol. Three different inorganic:organic ratios of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate)-star-SiO₂ hybrid inks are printed with pore channels in the range of 100-200 µm. Mechanical properties of the 3D printed scaffolds fall within the range of trabecular bone, and MC3T3 pre-osteoblast cells are able to adhere to the scaffolds in vitro, regardless of their compositions. Osteogenic and angiogenic properties of the hybrid scaffolds are shown using a rat calvarial defect model. Hybrid scaffolds with 40:60 inorganic:organic composition are able to instigate new vascularized bone formation within its pore channels and polarize macrophages toward M2 phenotype. 3D printing inorganic-organic hybrids with sophisticated polymer structure opens up possibilities to produce novel bone graft materials.