Support-less 3D bioceramic/extracellular matrix printing in sanitizer-based hydrogel for bone tissue engineering

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• 3D Printing

Background:

• 3D printing is crucial for bone tissue engineering, demanding scaffolds that mimic natural bone's composition and structure.
• Creating complex, oblique scaffold architectures remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore a novel 3D bioceramic printing technique using a sanitizer-based hydrogel for enhanced bone scaffold fabrication.
• To assess the structural integrity, mechanical properties, and osteogenic potential of the printed scaffolds.

Main Methods:

• A bioceramic ink was formulated by combining collagen (bone extracellular matrix component) with alpha-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP).
• This ink was 3D printed within a sanitizer-based hydrogel (carbopol and ethanol) acting as a support bath.
• Post-printing processing involved ethanol immersion and phosphate-buffer saline treatment to induce self-setting and convert α-TCP to hydroxyapatite.

Main Results:

• Complex ceramic/extracellular matrix (ECM) structures were successfully fabricated using the sanitizer-based hydrogel bath.
• The printed scaffolds exhibited superior mechanical properties compared to controls.
• Scaffolds printed in the hydrogel showed significantly higher cell proliferation and osteogenic activity.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D bioceramic printing approach effectively produces complex scaffolds with desirable mechanical characteristics.
• This method holds significant promise for bone regeneration by enhancing osteogenic potential and cell viability.