Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026
3D Printed Porous Cellulose Nanocomposite Hydrogel Scaffolds
Published on: April 24, 2019
Hydrophilic Polymer-Modified Poly(ε-caprolactone)/Hydroxyapatite Three-dimensional-Printed Scaffolds with Enhanced
Young-Ran Kim1, Ye-Seul Kim2, Jin-Ho Kang2
1Interdisciplinary Program of Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
Introduction:
Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is widely used as a scaffold material for tissue regeneration; however, its intrinsic hydrophobicity and slow biodegradation limit cell adhesion and tissue remodeling. This study aimed to improve the hydrophilicity and biodegradability of PCL-based scaffolds by incorporating the hydrophilic polymer poloxamer 407 (P407) while maintaining mechanical stability through hydroxyapatite (HA) reinforcement. The composite system was designed as a bioactive platform for dentin-pulp complex regeneration and other regenerative endodontic applications.
Methods:
Disc-shaped scaffolds with approximately 65% porosity were fabricated via fused deposition modeling-based 3D printing at varying PCL/HA/P407 ratios (P, PH, PHP1, PHP2, and PHP3). Physicochemical and biological properties-including printability, hydrophilicity, degradation, and mechanical strength-were analyzed using rheology, contact angle measurement, degradation testing, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis, compressive testing, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) were cultured to assess cell adhesion, proliferation, and osteo/odontogenic differentiation through alkaline phosphatase activity and alizarin red S staining.
Results:
P407 incorporation significantly enhanced scaffold hydrophilicity and degradation while maintaining mechanical strength. The optimal P407 concentration (PHP2) showed improved hDPSCs adhesion, proliferation, and mineralized matrix formation without cytotoxicity. Increased alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition indicated a favorable microenvironment for early osteo/odontogenic differentiation.
Conclusion:
The P407-incorporated PCL/HA composite scaffold exhibited balanced mechanical stability, enhanced hydrophilicity, and tunable biodegradability, supporting favorable hDPSCs responses. These results suggest its potential as a promising scaffold for dentin-pulp complex regeneration and broader tissue engineering applications in regenerative endodontics.
