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Biomimetic Barium Titanate/PLA Scaffold with Shape Memory and Bioelectro-Active Capacities Promotes Bone
Shiyan Lv1, Yuechi Zhang2, Xiongjie Liang1
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China.
International Journal of Nanomedicine
|November 6, 2025
Summary
This study developed a 4D-printed piezoelectric scaffold using barium titanate and polylactic acid for bone repair. The novel material effectively promotes bone regeneration, showing significant potential for clinical applications in critical bone defects.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Bone possesses natural piezoelectric properties, converting mechanical stress to electrical signals crucial for natural repair processes.
- Existing biomimetic bone materials often overlook these bioelectric effects, focusing primarily on composition, bioactivity, and structure.
- Piezoelectric materials offer a novel approach by recreating electrical microenvironments to enhance bone defect repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize a novel 4D-printed composite scaffold combining shape-memory and piezoelectric properties for bone regeneration.
- To evaluate the in vitro effects of the scaffold on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) under specific stimulation.
- To assess the in vivo bone repair efficacy of the developed scaffold in a preclinical model.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of barium titanate/polylactic acid (BT/PLA) composite scaffolds using 4D printing technology.
- Comprehensive characterization including microscopy, X-ray diffraction, surface analysis, and mechanical/piezoelectric property testing.
- In vitro cell culture studies with BMSCs and in vivo evaluation using a rat calvarial defect model.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated a 4D-printed shape-memory piezoelectric BT/PLA scaffold with excellent mechanical properties and rapid shape recovery.
- Demonstrated non-cytotoxicity of the scaffolds and significant enhancement of BMSC proliferation and osteogenesis when stimulated with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS).
- Achieved superior in vivo bone formation in rat calvarial defects with the BT/PLA scaffold combined with LIPUS.
Conclusions:
- The developed BT/PLA scaffold exhibits significant potential for bone regeneration due to its combined shape-memory and piezoelectric functionalities.
- The degradable nature and 4D printing fabrication suggest a pathway for personalized bone repair implants.
- Mechanistic insights suggest the osteogenic effects involve the PI3K-Akt pathway, offering targets for future material optimization.
