3D-Printable Photothermal and Temperature-Controlled Polycaprolactone Scaffolds Incorporating Gold Plasmonic...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Three-dimensional (3D) printing enables customized bone scaffold fabrication for tissue engineering.
• Integrating photothermal agents offers potential for noninvasive, controlled therapeutic stimulation.
• Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biocompatible polymer widely used in biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel 3D-printed PCL scaffolds incorporating gold plasmonic blackbodies (AuPBs).
• To investigate the photothermal properties and osteogenic potential of AuPB-PCL scaffolds under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation.
• To evaluate the effects of controlled photothermal stimulation on bone regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of 3D-printed PCL scaffolds with embedded AuPBs using advanced printing techniques.
• Characterization of scaffold mechanical properties and thermal response to NIR laser irradiation.
• In vitro assessment of osteoblast proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and mineralization under varying photothermal conditions.

Main Results:

• AuPB-PCL scaffolds exhibited enhanced mechanical strength and tunable photothermal properties.
• NIR laser irradiation induced controlled hyperthermia in the scaffolds.
• Mild hyperthermia (39-41 °C) significantly promoted osteoblast proliferation, ALP activity, and mineralization.
• Temperatures above 42.5 °C led to impaired cellular function due to mitochondrial stress and oxidative damage.

Conclusions:

• AuPB-PCL scaffolds offer a promising platform for photothermal-controlled bone regeneration.
• Precise temperature modulation via NIR laser irradiation is crucial for optimizing osteogenesis.
• This technology presents a noninvasive strategy for enhancing bone repair and tissue engineering applications.