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3D Printing Type 1 Bovine Collagen Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications-Physicochemical Characterization and
Vasudev Vivekanand Nayak1, Nick Tovar2,3, Doha Khan2
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 25, 2023
Summary
This study developed 3D-printed collagen scaffolds for tissue engineering. The biocompatible scaffolds support cell growth and show potential for patient-specific regenerative medicine.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Collagen is a key extracellular matrix protein with properties suitable for tissue engineering scaffolds.
- Its hemostatic, chemotactic, and cell adhesive characteristics are advantageous for regenerative applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize a fibrillar colloidal gel from Type 1 bovine collagen.
- To fabricate three-dimensionally (3D) printed scaffolds with engineered pore architectures using this gel.
- To evaluate the physicochemical and biological properties of the fabricated scaffolds.
Main Methods:
- Collagen gel formulation and rheological analysis.
- 3D printing of scaffolds with controlled pore architecture.
- Post-processing via chemical crosslinking (using N-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide) and lyophilization.
- Physicochemical characterization (FTIR, TGA, DSC, mechanical testing).
- In vitro biological evaluation (Presto Blue and Alkaline Phosphatase assays for cytotoxicity, proliferation, and differentiation).
Main Results:
- Fibrillar collagen was successfully formulated into a shear-thinning colloidal gel suitable for 3D printing.
- 3D-printed scaffolds exhibited thermal stability at 37 °C post-crosslinking and lyophilization.
- Chemical crosslinking did not induce cytotoxicity but negatively impacted mechanical strength.
- Scaffolds demonstrated good cellular attachment, proliferation, and differentiation potential.
Conclusions:
- 3D-printed collagen scaffolds are a promising biomaterial for tissue engineering.
- The developed fabrication method allows for customized, patient-specific scaffold design.
- Further optimization is needed to enhance mechanical properties for specific clinical applications.
