Abstract
In Bone Tissue Engineering (BTE), autologous bone-regenerative cells are combined with a scaffold for large bone defect treatment (LBDT). Microporous, polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds showed good healing results in small animals. However, transfer to large animal models is not easily achieved simply by upscaling the design. Increasing diffusion distances have a negative impact on cell survival and nutrition supply, leading to cell death and ultimately implant failure. Here, a novel scaffold architecture was designed to meet all requirements for an advanced bone substitute. Biofunctional, porous subunits in a load-bearing, compression-resistant frame structure characterize this approach. An open, macro- and microporous internal architecture (100 µm–2 mm pores) optimizes conditions for oxygen and nutrient supply to the implant’s inner areas by diffusion. A prototype was 3D-printed applying Fused Filament Fabrication using PLA. After incubation with Saos-2 (Sarcoma osteogenic) cells for 14 days, cell morphology, cell distribution, cell survival (fluorescence microscopy and LDH-based cytotoxicity assay), metabolic activity (MTT test), and osteogenic gene expression were determined. The adherent cells showed colonization properties, proliferation potential, and osteogenic differentiation. The innovative design, with its porous structure, is a promising matrix for cell settlement and proliferation. The modular design allows easy upscaling and offers a solution for LBDT.
Highlights
Treatment of critical size bone defects remains a major challenge in modern traumatology/orthopedics [1]
The scaffold was designed using Fusion 360 (Autodesk, San Rafael, CA, USA), a 3D design software which can be used for computer-aided design (CAD) and rapid prototyping
It was designed with constraints and parameters, allowing for later customization using a mix of boundary representation (BREP) and constructive solid geometry (CSG)
Summary
Treatment of critical size bone defects remains a major challenge in modern traumatology/orthopedics [1]. Bone Tissue Engineering is considered to be a key technology to overcome current limitations [4,5]. The ideal bone substitute (scaffold), once introduced. Materials 2020, 13, 1836 into the osseous defect, recruits osteogenic and angiogenic stem cells (osteoconductive), navigates cell differentiation and stimulates bone and vascular formation (osteoinductive and angiogenic properties). The resorbable scaffold should mechanically stabilize the defect zone for this period, until it is completely replaced by newly formed, autogenous bone. To meet the desired properties, a scaffold should be mechanically stable, absorbable, osteogenic (osteoconductive and osteoinductive), angiogenic, and cytocompatible (non-immunogenic, have no toxic degradation products, and stimulate no foreign body reaction) [6]
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