Bilayer Fiber-Reinforced Composite-Hydrogel Scaffolds With Bioactive Glass for Bone Tissue Regeneration.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Large bone defects require scaffolds with mechanical support and bioactivity.
• Hydrogels offer biocompatibility but lack mechanical strength for bone regeneration.
• Existing scaffolds struggle to balance mechanical integrity with biological cues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel bilayer laminate scaffold for bone tissue engineering.
• To integrate a fiber-reinforced composite with a bioactive hyaluronic acid hydrogel.
• To investigate the effect of bioactive glass incorporation on scaffold properties and cell response.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a bilayer scaffold using fiber-reinforced composite and 3D-printed hyaluronic acid hydrogel.
• Incorporation of bioactive glass into the hydrogel layer to enhance bioactivity.
• Characterization of scaffold properties (chemical, morphological, degradation, ion release) and cytocompatibility with human bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs).

Main Results:

• The bilayer scaffold exhibited controlled degradation, sustained ion release, and bioactivity.
• Bioactive glass incorporation led to an alkaline pH shift, reducing hydrogel stiffness.
• The scaffolds demonstrated excellent cytocompatibility, supporting BMSC viability, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation.

Conclusions:

• The developed bilayer scaffold is a promising platform for bone tissue engineering.
• Bioactive glass incorporation influences hydrogel properties and cellular response.
• Further research into the chemical interplay of scaffold components is needed for optimized bone regeneration strategies.