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Three-Dimensional Printed Porous PLA Scaffolds with Dual Functionality: Cell Proliferation Enhancement and
Renad N AlQurashi1, Noora M Bataweel2, Mehal Atallah AlQriqri3
1Department of Biological Sciences, Collage of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
Polymers
|July 30, 2025
Summary
Optimizing poly (lactic acid) scaffold porosity in tissue engineering is key. Intermediate to high porosity (60-80%) enhances human skin fibroblast viability, while bacterial adhesion varies by species, impacting infection control.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Scaffold architecture is crucial for cellular and microbial interactions in tissue engineering.
- Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) scaffolds are widely used, but their optimal porosity for balancing regenerative potential and infection control requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of varying poly (lactic acid) scaffold porosity (20-100%) on mechanical strength.
- To assess human skin fibroblast (HSF) viability and proliferation on scaffolds with different porosities.
- To determine the effect of scaffold porosity on the adhesion of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Main Methods:
- 3D printing of poly (lactic acid) scaffolds with controlled porosity levels (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%).
- Mechanical testing (tensile strength) to evaluate scaffold integrity.
- AlamarBlue assay for assessing human skin fibroblast viability and metabolic activity.
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for visualizing cell and bacterial adhesion.
- Bacterial adhesion assays using *Staphylococcus epidermidis*, *Staphylococcus aureus*, *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, and *Escherichia coli*.
Main Results:
- Tensile strength decreased significantly with increasing porosity, from 28 MPa (100% dense) to 4 MPa (40% porous).
- Highest human skin fibroblast viability and proliferation were observed on scaffolds with 60% and 80% porosity, with SEM confirming robust cell adhesion at 80% porosity.
- Bacterial adhesion demonstrated species-specific responses: *S. epidermidis* and *E. coli* adhesion increased with porosity, *P. aeruginosa* peaked at 80% porosity, and *S. aureus* showed highest adhesion at 40-60% porosity.
Conclusions:
- Scaffold porosity critically influences mechanical properties, cell viability, and bacterial adhesion in poly (lactic acid) scaffolds.
- Intermediate to high porosity levels (60-80%) appear optimal for supporting human skin fibroblast growth and metabolic activity.
- Optimizing scaffold porosity is essential for balancing regenerative capacity with effective control of bacterial colonization in tissue engineering applications.
