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Functionalized 3D-printed silk-hydroxyapatite scaffolds for enhanced bone regeneration with innervation and
Vincent Fitzpatrick1, Zaira Martín-Moldes1, Anna Deck1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
Biomaterials
|July 13, 2021
Summary
This study developed 3D-printed silk-hydroxyapatite scaffolds with growth factors for enhanced bone regeneration. These scaffolds show promising results for bone healing in dental and maxillofacial applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Silk-hydroxyapatite bone cements offer a promising base for bone regeneration scaffolds.
- Growth factors like Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (BMP2), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), and Neural Growth Factor (NGF) play crucial roles in bone formation, vascularization, and neural signaling.
- Synergistic effects of these factors can accelerate bone healing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create functionalized 3D-printed scaffolds using silk-hydroxyapatite bone cements and key growth factors for accelerated bone regeneration.
- To evaluate the osteogenic, angiogenic, and neurotrophic potential of these advanced scaffolds.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of BMP2, VEGF, and NGF on bone regeneration processes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3D printing to fabricate macroporous scaffolds with controlled architectures promoting osseointegration.
- Incorporated osteoinductive (BMP2), proangiogenic (VEGF), and neurotrophic (NGF) growth factors into the scaffolds.
- Assessed scaffold functionality through in vitro studies on human mesenchymal stem cells (osteogenesis), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (angiogenesis), and human induced neural stem cells (neurogenesis).
Main Results:
- The 3D-printed scaffolds exhibited suitable mechanical properties, cytocompatibility, and osteoconductivity.
- Scaffold materials successfully maintained the bioactivity of incorporated growth factors and cytokines.
- Identified synergistic effects of BMP-2, VEGF, and NGF on osteoblastic differentiation, evidenced by the upregulation of key genes (RUNX2, SPP1, IBSP).
Conclusions:
- Functionalized 3D-printed silk-hydroxyapatite scaffolds loaded with BMP2, VEGF, and NGF demonstrate significant potential for enhanced bone regeneration.
- The combination of these growth factors promotes synergistic osteogenic differentiation in vitro.
- These findings suggest a strong impact for future applications in dental, oral, and maxillofacial surgery, though in vivo studies are pending.
