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Published on: September 11, 2015
A Functionalized 3D-Printed Ti6Al4V "Cell Climbing Frame" Inspired by Marine Sponges to Recruit and Rejuvenate
Haoyuan Lei1, Hongfu Cao1, Xi Chen1
1National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610065, China.
Abstract:
Osteoporosis, characterized by low bone mass and high fracture risk, challenges orthopedic implant design. Conventional 3D-printed Ti6Al4V scaffolds are mechanically robust but suffer from poor bone regeneration in osteoporotic patients due to stress shielding and cellular senescence. In this study, a functionalized 3D-printed Ti6Al4V "Cell Climbing Frame" is developed, aiming to adapt to the mechanical microenvironment of osteoporosis, effectively recruit and support the adhesion and growth of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), while rejuvenating senescent cells for improved bone regeneration. Inspired by marine sponges, the processing accuracy limitations of selective laser melting (SLM) technology is broke through innovatively constructing a hierarchical porous structure with macropores and micropores nested within each other. Results demonstrate that the unique hierarchical porous scaffold reduces the elastic modulus, facilitates blood penetration, and enhances cell adhesion and growth. Further surface functionalization with E7 peptides and exosomes promotes the attraction and rejuvenation of BMSCs and boosts migration, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation in vitro. In vivo, the functionalized "Cell Climbing Frame" accelerates bone repair in osteoporotic rats, while delaying surrounding bone loss, enabling robust multi-stage osseointegration. This innovation advances 3D-printed regenerative implants for osteoporotic bone repair.
