Human alveolar bone-derived mesenchymal stem cell cultivation on a 3D-printed PDLLA scaffold for bone formation

This study aimed to assess effects of 3-dimensionally (3D) printed poly-d,l-lactin (PDLLA) on human alveolar bone-derived mesenchymal stem cell (h-ABMSC) osteogenic proliferation and differentiation. Human ABMSCs were cultured and identified using flow cytometry and morphological analysis. Control and PDLLA experimental groups were assessed using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) to detect cellular cytotoxicity and proliferative activity. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine expression levels of osteogenesis genes including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx-2), osteopontin (OPN), and osteocalcin (OCN). The results showed that h-ABMSCs were successfully cultured and revealed by microscopic observation. Human ABMSCs were spindle-shaped, with clustered and fish-like primary cells. Cell surface markers were negative for CD34 and positive for CD44 and CD90. PDLLA had no cytotoxicity. Human ABMSCs proliferated normally, and osteogenic differentiation of the cells was observed on the surface of PDLLA. Cellular proliferative activity and expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes of PDLLA and control groups showed no significant difference, including ALP, Runx-2, OPN, and OCN. These results suggest that 3D-printed PDLLA has good cell compatibility and biological activity.