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Published on: August 4, 2020
Prefabricated 3D-Printed Tissue-Engineered Bone for Mandibular Reconstruction: A Preclinical Translational Study in
Shuai-Shuai Cao1, Shu-Yi Li1,2, Yuan-Ming Geng3
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, China.
Three dimensionally printed beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) scaffolds with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) show promise for repairing large bone defects. Prefabricated tissue-engineered bone (PTEB) using these scaffolds demonstrated effective bone regeneration and vascularization in primate models.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Three dimensionally (3D) printed customized bone grafts offer potential for complex bone defect repair.
- Clinical translation of these advanced bone grafts remains limited.
- Evaluating prefabricated tissue-engineered bone (PTEB) versus direct implantation is crucial for clinical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of 3D printed poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/β-tricalcium phosphate (PLGA/TCP) and TCP scaffolds, with or without recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), for repairing primate mandibular defects.
- To assess the performance of prefabricated tissue-engineered bone (PTEB) over direct implantation.
- To utilize 18F-FDG PET/CT for real-time monitoring of bone regeneration and vascularization.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of 3D printed PLGA/TCP and TCP scaffolds, some coated with rhBMP-2.
- Repair of large-volume primate mandibular defects using these scaffolds, comparing PTEB with direct implantation.
- Monitoring bone regeneration and vascularization using radiographic, 18F-FDG PET/CT, and histological evaluations.
Main Results:
- TCP-BMP scaffolds maintained their 3D architecture and increased in density post-implantation, unlike PLGA/TCP-BMP scaffolds.
- PTEB based on TCP-BMP scaffolds showed successful bone regeneration and vascularization.
- 18F-FDG PET/CT effectively monitored real-time bone regeneration and vascularization.
Conclusions:
- TCP-BMP scaffolds are superior to PLGA/TCP-BMP scaffolds for maintaining structural integrity and promoting bone formation.
- PTEB utilizing TCP-BMP scaffolds is a promising strategy for clinical translation in repairing large bone defects.
- 18F-FDG PET/CT is a valuable tool for assessing bone regeneration and vascularization in vivo.
