Elastic 3D-Printed Nanofibers Composite Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Conventional nanoparticle-loaded hydrogels for 3D printing have limited efficacy in enhancing scaffold properties.
• Improving the printability and physicochemical characteristics of 3D-printed scaffolds is crucial for bone defect regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel composite scaffold using electrospun nanofibers and 3D printing for bone defect repair.
• To evaluate the mechanical properties, bioactivity, and osteoinductivity of nanofiber-reinforced scaffolds compared to nanoparticle-reinforced ones.

Main Methods:

• Silica nanofibers were synthesized using high-speed homogenization and low-temperature ball milling.
• Nanofibers were blended with sodium alginate to create a printable ink for 3D printing.
• Composite scaffolds were fabricated and characterized for morphology, mechanical attributes, and bioactivity.

Main Results:

• The nanofiber-infused ink exhibited excellent extrusion and molding properties, yielding scaffolds with favorable macroscopic morphology.
• Nanofiber composite scaffolds demonstrated superior mechanical properties and bioactivity compared to nanoparticle-reinforced scaffolds.
• Enhanced osteoinductive properties were observed in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions:

• A novel "reinforced concrete"-like composite scaffold was successfully fabricated using 3D printing and electrospun nanofibers.
• This nanofiber-infused 3D-printed scaffold approach shows significant potential to advance bone tissue engineering applications.
• The developed scaffolds offer a promising alternative for addressing bone defects with improved regenerative capabilities.