Fabrication and Characterization of Ta–GelMA–BG Scaffolds by Chemical Crosslinking Processing for Promotion Osteointegration

Fujian Zhao,Yang Yan,Xiaofeng Chen,Xiongfa Ji,Zhen Yang,Limin Ma

doi:10.3389/fmats.2021.701268

Abstract

The repair of bone defects in load-bearing positions still faces great challenges. Tantalum (Ta) has attempted to repair bone defects based on the excellent mechanical properties. However, the osseointegration of Ta needs to be improved due to the lack of osteoinduction. Herein, tantalum–gelatin–methacryloyl–bioactive glass (Ta–GelMA–BG) scaffolds were successfully fabricated by loading BG in 3D-printed Ta scaffolds through a chemical crosslinking method. The results showed that the composite scaffolds have the ability to promote cell adhesion and proliferation. The incorporation of BG resulted in a significant increase in apatite-forming and osteogenesis differentiation abilities. In vivo results indicated that the Ta–GelMA–BG scaffolds significantly enhanced the osteointegration at the early stage after implantation. Overall, the Ta–GelMA–BG scaffolds are a promising platform for the load bearing bone regeneration field.

Highlights

Bone defects and nonunions caused by trauma, resection, and abnormal development pose a major clinical problem worldwide (Panteli et al, 2015)
A broad peak centered at ∼22° (2θ) could be observed only in Ta–Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)–Bioactive glasses (BGs) group indicating the representative amorphous nature of BG (Figure 2A)
Much BG remained on the surface of Ta–GelMA–BG scaffolds after 7°days of degradation

Summary

Introduction

Bone defects and nonunions caused by trauma, resection, and abnormal development pose a major clinical problem worldwide (Panteli et al, 2015). Current approaches for graft materials include autografts, allografts, ceramic, and metallic implants (Khan et al, 2008). Ceramic implants cannot support the body weight and are only used with external fixation. Metallic implants are suitable for the load-bearing bone defects. Concerns have been raised for their unsuitable mechanical properties (Sagomonyants et al, 2011b), cytotoxicity (Li et al, 2010), corrosion, and potential allergies (Olmedo et al, 2008). These limitations of titanium have led to continuous efforts to explore more suitable metallic implant materials

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Conclusion