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3D Printing Polycaprolactone-Gelatin for Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering
Elaine Lui1,2, Masanori Kobayashi3, Charu Jain2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
|February 18, 2026
Summary
This study developed a novel polycaprolactone-gelatin composite for bone tissue engineering. The material shows enhanced biocompatibility, tunable degradation, and promotes cell growth for better bone implant applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Musculoskeletal tissue engineering requires bone implants that are biocompatible, resorbable, and promote regeneration.
- Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a suitable FDA-approved polymer but lacks inherent bioactivity.
- Functionalizing PCL with natural components like gelatin can improve its properties without harsh crosslinking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel polycaprolactone-gelatin (PCL-gelatin, PG) composite for 3D printing in bone tissue engineering.
- To investigate the effect of varying gelatin content on the composite's physical, mechanical, degradation, and biological properties.
- To evaluate the in vivo biocompatibility and bone regeneration potential of the PG composite.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of PG composites with 10-30% gelatin and beta-tricalcium phosphate via casting and melt processing into 3D printable filaments.
- Characterization using mechanical testing, contact angle, FTIR, TGA, EDS, and SEM.
- In vitro studies with human mesenchymal stem cells and in vivo subcutaneous implantation in rats and critical-size femoral defects.
Main Results:
- Homogeneous distribution of gelatin nanoparticles in PCL matrix, increasing hydrophilicity and mechanical strength with higher gelatin content.
- Tunable degradation rates correlated with gelatin concentration.
- Enhanced human mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in vitro.
- Biocompatibility comparable to PCL in vivo with minimal inflammation.
- Superior early mechanical properties and increased preosteoblast density in critical-size femoral defects for PG30.
Conclusions:
- A novel, bioactive PCL-gelatin composite was successfully fabricated for 3D printing applications.
- The composite exhibits tunable degradation, enhanced cellular interactions, and promising bone regeneration capabilities.
- This fabrication method preserves gelatin bioactivity and offers a promising advancement for bone tissue engineering.
