Human bone marrow derived stem cell differentiation on 3D printed bioactive glass scaffolds

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Bioactive glasses are known to stimulate bone growth in vivo.
• The specific effects of bioactive glasses on human bone marrow-derived stromal cells (hBMSCs) require further elucidation.
• 3D printed ICIE16 bioactive glass scaffolds have demonstrated successful bone ingrowth in vivo.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the in vitro effects of 3D printed ICIE16 bioactive glass scaffolds on hBMSC growth and osteogenic differentiation.
• To compare the osteogenic potential of hBMSCs cultured directly on scaffolds versus in media containing scaffold dissolution products.
• To determine the influence of osteogenic supplements on hBMSC differentiation on these scaffolds.

Main Methods:

• Culturing hBMSCs on 3D printed ICIE16 scaffolds and in conditioned media with dissolution products.
• Assessing osteogenic differentiation markers (Runx2, Col1a1, Osteopontin, Osteocalcin, Alkaline Phosphatase) over six weeks.
• Comparing results with and without the addition of osteogenic supplements.

Main Results:

• hBMSCs cultured on ICIE16 scaffolds showed significantly increased expression of osteogenic markers compared to monolayer cultures in dissolution media.
• The 3D scaffold structure and dissolution ions independently influenced hBMSC osteogenic differentiation.
• Osteogenic supplements showed synergistic effects with scaffolds in early differentiation stages (weeks 2 and 4), but this difference diminished by week 6.

Conclusions:

• 3D printed ICIE16 bioactive glass scaffolds support hBMSC growth and osteogenic differentiation in vitro.
• Both the scaffold's physical structure and its ionic dissolution products contribute to osteogenesis.
• These findings support the potential of ICIE16 bioactive glass scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications.