Laser-Enhanced Biomorphic Scaffolds Support Multipotent Stem Cell Differentiation and Angiogenesis for Vascularised...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Biomorphic hydroxyapatite scaffolds mimic natural bone structure.
• Rattan wood-derived GreenBone scaffolds offer a promising base for bone regeneration.
• Enhancing scaffold porosity is crucial for nutrient diffusion and cell infiltration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of laser drilling on GreenBone scaffold properties.
• To evaluate the cellular response and differentiation potential of stem cells on these scaffolds.
• To assess the osteogenic and angiogenic potential of laser-modified GreenBone scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Main Methods:

• Laser drilling of rattan wood-derived hydroxyapatite scaffolds.
• Seeding scaffolds with patient-derived bone marrow mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (BMMSCs) and culture-expanded mesenchymal stem cells (cMSCs).
• Assessing cell viability, adhesion, cytoskeleton organization, trilineage differentiation, gene expression (osteogenic, angiogenic, ECM remodeling), and VEGF secretion via ELISA.

Main Results:

• Laser-drilled scaffolds exhibited enhanced porosity and nutrient diffusion.
• BMMSCs and cMSCs showed high viability (>90%), excellent adhesion, and proliferation.
• Successful trilineage differentiation of BMMSCs confirmed multipotency.
• Upregulated expression of key osteogenic (BMP2, RUNX2, COL1A1) and angiogenic (VEGFC) genes.
• Increased VEGF secretion and upregulation of ECM remodeling markers (MMP9, TIMP1).

Conclusions:

• Laser modification significantly improves GreenBone scaffold properties for bone tissue engineering.
• The scaffolds support robust stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and vascularization.
• Laser-modified GreenBone scaffolds are highly relevant for clinical applications, especially in repairing critical-sized bone defects requiring rapid vascularized regeneration.