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Engineering Porous PET-RAFT Scaffolds with PLGA-Insulin Nanoparticles: Advancing Bone Tissue Regeneration Through
Fernando E Rodríguez-Umanzor1,2, Mauricio A Sarabia-Vallejos3, Nicolás F Acuña-Ruiz1,2
1Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Matemáticas y del Medio Ambiente, Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana, Santiago 7800003, Chile.
Polymers
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed 3D-printed scaffolds using a novel resin for tissue engineering. These scaffolds provide structural support and controlled insulin release, showing promise for bone tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Developing multifunctional scaffolds for tissue engineering is challenging.
- 3D printing offers patient-specific solutions for complex biomedical devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate porous 3D scaffolds using digital light processing (DLP) with a novel PET-RAFT resin.
- To embed insulin-loaded nanoparticles for controlled bioactive agent delivery.
- To evaluate the osteoinductive potential for bone tissue engineering (BTE).
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of scaffolds via DLP using a PET-RAFT resin (DMAEMA/PEGDA575) with NaCl as a porogen.
- Incorporation of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles loaded with insulin.
- Characterization using micro-CT, thermal/chemical analysis, and cytocompatibility assays (ISO 10993-5).
- In vitro evaluation of insulin release kinetics and cell response in a dynamic bioreactor.
Main Results:
- High-resolution, trabecular-like 3D scaffolds with interconnected pores (70.7 ± 24.7 μm) and 57.0 ± 6.98% porosity were fabricated.
- Scaffolds demonstrated stability, controlled degradability, and excellent cytocompatibility (>80% viability).
- Sustained insulin release up to 72 hours was achieved, with enhanced cell adhesion and RUNX2 expression in bioreactor cultures.
Conclusions:
- A novel PET-RAFT-derived resin enables the 3D printing of advanced scaffolds for tissue engineering.
- The hybrid scaffolds offer structural support and spatiotemporal control of insulin release.
- This technology presents a promising strategy for enhanced biomaterial development and tailored therapeutic interventions in BTE.
