Interface-engineered 3D-printed PCEC/collagen composite scaffold for large bone defect repair under static and
Yu-Yao Liu1, Marko Dobricic2, Claudio Intini3
1IMDEA Materials Institute, Getafe, Madrid 28906, Spain; Department of Materials Science, Polytechnic University of Madrid/Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid 28040, Spain.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces
|December 11, 2025
Summary
A novel scaffold combining collagen and a copolymer framework promotes bone regeneration and vascularization for large bone defects. This interface-engineered solution supports cell growth and mineralization under static and mechanical conditions, showing translational potential.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Large traumatic bone defects pose significant challenges in orthopedics, especially with an aging global population.
- Effective bone healing requires coordinated bone regeneration and vascularization within the defect site.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel interface-engineered scaffold for enhanced bone regeneration.
- To assess the scaffold's mechanical properties, biocompatibility, osteogenic potential, and angiogenic activity.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a scaffold integrating a collagen type I/nano-hydroxyapatite matrix with a 3D-printed PCL-PEG20k-PCL triblock copolymer framework.
- In vitro culture of preosteoblasts (MC3T3) and endothelial cells to evaluate cell proliferation, differentiation, mineralization, and angiogenic activity.
- Mechanical stimulation in a bioreactor to assess scaffold performance under physiological conditions.
Main Results:
- The scaffold exhibited interconnected multi-scale pores and a compressive modulus similar to cancellous bone.
- Promoted osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and matrix mineralization, upregulating RUNX2 and BMP-2.
- Induced early angiogenic activity in endothelial cells and supported osteoblast viability and mineralization under mechanical stimulation.
Conclusions:
- The interface-engineered scaffold effectively supports bone regeneration and vascularization through its unique architecture and biofunctional surfaces.
- Demonstrates significant potential for treating large bone defects under both static and dynamic mechanical loading conditions.
