Abstract
In this study, we present a novel approach towards the straightforward, rapid, and low-cost development of biomimetic composite scaffolds for tissue engineering strategies. The system is based on the additive manufacture of a computer-designed lattice structure or framework, into which carbon fibers are subsequently knitted or incorporated. The 3D-printed lattice structure acts as support and the knitted carbon fibers perform as driving elements for promoting cell colonization of the three-dimensional construct. A human mesenchymal stem cell (h-MSC) conditioned medium (CM) is also used for improving the scaffold’s response and promoting cell adhesion, proliferation, and viability. Cell culture results—in which scaffolds become buried in collagen type II—provide relevant information regarding the viability of the composite scaffolds used and the prospective applications of the proposed approach. In fact, the advanced composite scaffold developed, together with the conditioned medium functionalization, constitutes a biomimetic stem cell niche with clear potential, not just for tendon and ligament repair, but also for cartilage and endochondral bone formation and regeneration strategies.
Highlights
The behavior and fate of stem cells are not just dependent on genetic information, but are regulated by other biochemical and mechanical cues and signals which come from their micro-environment. This local micro-environment, which provides physical and chemical support and signals for survival and regulation, is commonly referred to as the stem cell niche, and plays a fundamental role in all strategies linked to the development of biomimetic tissue engineering constructs, mainly for bone, cartilage, ligament, tendon, and muscle repair using mesenchymal stem cells (h-MSCs) [1,2]
The designs and prototypes obtained help to show that the manufacture of complex biomimetic and biomechanical lattice structures, porous geometries, and functionally graded materials—whose applications in the biomedical field are noteworthy—can be directly accomplished by using additive manufacturing technologies, typically working on a layer-by-layer approach and following the information regarding the three-dimensional geometries of parts and constructs stored in the form of CAD files
The system is based on the additive manufacture of three-dimensional computer-designed lattice structures or frameworks, into which carbon fibers are subsequently knitted or incorporated
Summary
The behavior and fate of stem cells are not just dependent on genetic information, but are regulated by other biochemical and mechanical cues and signals (epigenetic cues) which come from their micro-environment. Several physical forces from the surrounding environment, such as tensile and compressive stresses, vibratory excitations, fluid shear stresses, and even the presence of electromagnetic fields and gravitational forces have to be considered. Other elements, such as the existence of companion stem cells and the differentiated cell types from the adjacent tissue, clearly affect stem cell dynamics, overall behavior, Materials 2018, 11, 23; doi:10.3390/ma11010023 www.mdpi.com/journal/materials. The physical and chemical properties of the extracellular matrix, such as stiffness, porosity, viscosity, elasticity, morphology, roughness, surface topography and composition, help to orient cells and their mutual interactions and, regulate stem cell function [3,4]
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