3D-printed PCL framework assembling ECM-inspired multi-layer mineralized GO-Col-HAp microscaffold for in situ...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Natural bone extracellular matrix (ECM)-inspired materials are crucial for bone tissue engineering scaffolds.
• Challenges persist in replicating bone ECM's mechanical strength and hierarchical structures.
• Developing advanced scaffolds is essential for effective bone defect repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an innovative bone ECM-inspired scaffold.
• To integrate a 3D-printed framework with hydroxyapatite (HAp) mineralized graphene oxide-collagen (GO-Col) microscaffolds.
• To evaluate the scaffold's application in repairing mandibular bone defects.

Main Methods:

• Designed a 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold mimicking bone macrostructure.
• Developed multi-layer mineralized GO-Col-HAp (MLM GCH) microscaffolds for nano/microstructure simulation.
• Conducted systematic in vitro and in vivo experiments to assess scaffold performance and bone repair.

Main Results:

• The composite scaffolds exhibited robust mechanical strength and assembly space.
• MLM GCH microscaffolds showed favorable water absorption, cell adsorption, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation.
• Successful bone regeneration was observed in rat mandibular defects using the composite scaffolds.

Conclusions:

• A strategy for fabricating ECM-inspired scaffolds by integrating 3D-printed PCL and multilayer mineralized microscaffolds was presented.
• The developed scaffolds enhance cell proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and bone regeneration.
• This fabrication approach is adaptable for various biomaterial types in regenerative medicine.