Abstract
Tissue engineering is a promising approach to restore or replace a damaged temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc. However, constructing a scaffold that can mimic biomechanical and biological properties of the natural TMJ disc remains a challenge. In this study, three-dimensional (3D) printing technology was used to fabricate polycaprolactone (PCL)/polyurethane (PU) scaffolds and PU scaffolds to imitate the region-specific biomechanical properties of the TMJ disc. The scaffolds were coated with polydopamine (PDA) and combined with a decellularized matrix (dECM). Then, rat costal chondrocytes and mouse L929 fibroblasts, respectively, were suspended on the composite scaffolds and the biological functions of the cells were studied. The properties of the scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle analysis, and biomechanical testing. To verify the biocompatibility of the scaffolds, the viability, proliferation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) production of the cells seeded on the scaffolds were assessed by LIVE/DEAD staining, Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, biochemical content analysis, immunofluorescence staining, and qRT-PCR. The functionalized hybrid scaffolds were then implanted into the subcutaneous space of nude mice for 6 weeks, and the regenerated tissue was evaluated by histological staining. The biomechanical properties of PCL/PU and PU scaffolds were comparable to that of the central and peripheral zones, respectively, of a native human TMJ disc. The PDA-coated scaffolds displayed superior biomechanical, structural, and functional properties, creating a favorable microenvironment for cell survival, proliferation, ECM production, and tissue regeneration. In conclusion, 3D-printed polymer scaffolds coated with PDA and combined with dECM hydrogel were found to be a promising substitute for TMJ disc tissue engineering.
Highlights
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) has been reported to affect 10%–15% of the population, and only 5% of patients seek treatment (Lim and Sbhalang, 2010; Gonçalves et al, 2011)
We aimed to develop a biomimetic composite scaffold of 3D printed synthetic polymers and tissue-specific decellularized matrix (dECM) hydrogel to repair the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc
Based on the region-specific mechanical properties of TMJ disc, 3D printed scaffolds were fabricated using a mixture of PCL (Sigma, USA) and PU (Tecoflex, EG-100A, United States) at a ratio of 1:1, according to the results of our pilot study
Summary
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) has been reported to affect 10%–15% of the population, and only 5% of patients seek treatment (Lim and Sbhalang, 2010; Gonçalves et al, 2011). As a major component of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the disc usually undergoes degenerative changes, such as displacement without reduction and perforation in patients with severe TMD, and these pathological changes greatly compromise normal jaw movement and functions, including the ability to eat and speak (Eiji and Theo, 2003). At the advanced stage of TMD, the only option for the treatment of the damaged disc is surgical resection (Miloro and Henriksen, 2010; Renapurkar, 2018). Replacement of the damaged disc with alloplastic or autogenous graft leads to a range of complications, which considerably limit the clinical application (Dolwick, 2007; Dimitroulis, 2011)
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