3D TPMS curvature accelerated osteogenesis by enhancing permeability and directing cell orientation

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Cell adhesion substrate curvature influences cell fate.
• The osteogenic effects of complex 3D curved surfaces are underexplored.
• Advanced 3D printing enables precise control over scaffold geometry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the osteogenic effects of complex 3D curved surfaces.
• To compare the mechanisms of osteogenesis on triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) and conventional truss scaffolds.
• To establish design principles for curvature-optimized bone scaffolds.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of scaffolds with controlled curvature distributions using two-photonic polymerization 3D printing.
• Comparative analysis of TPMS and truss scaffolds.
• Evaluation of osteogenic differentiation and bone formation using in vitro and in vivo models.

Main Results:

• Zero mean curvature enhanced osteogenesis via improved scaffold permeability.
• Negative Gaussian curvature promoted bone formation by controlling permeability and guiding cell organization.
• Scaffolds with broader negative Gaussian curvature ranges showed superior osteogenesis inductive capacity in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions:

• Curvature-dependent osteogenesis mechanisms were elucidated.
• Quantitative design principles for TPMS-based bone scaffolds were provided.
• Curvature optimization strategies were experimentally validated, advancing regenerative implant development.