Abstract
BackgroundBiomaterial-based bone tissue engineering represents a promising solution to overcome reduced residual bone volume. It has been previously demonstrated that gradient and offset architectures of three-dimensional melt electrowritten poly-caprolactone (PCL) scaffolds could successfully direct osteoblast cells differentiation toward an osteogenic lineage, resulting in mineralization. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the in vivo osteoconductive capacity of PCL scaffolds with these different architectures.MethodsFive different calcium phosphate (CaP) coated melt electrowritten PCL pore sized scaffolds: 250 μm and 500 μm, 500 μm with 50% fibre offset (offset.50.50), tri layer gradient 250–500-750 μm (grad.250top) and 750–500-250 μm (grad.750top) were implanted into rodent critical-sized calvarial defects. Empty defects were used as a control. After 4 and 8 weeks of healing, the new bone was assessed by micro-computed tomography and immunohistochemistry.ResultsSignificantly more newly formed bone was shown in the grad.250top scaffold 8 weeks post-implantation. Histological investigation also showed that soft tissue was replaced with newly formed bone and fully covered the grad.250top scaffold. While, the bone healing did not happen completely in the 250 μm, offset.50.50 scaffolds and blank calvaria defects following 8 weeks of implantation. Immunohistochemical analysis showed the expression of osteogenic markers was present in all scaffold groups at both time points. The mineralization marker Osteocalcin was detected with the highest intensity in the grad.250top and 500 μm scaffolds. Moreover, the expression of the endothelial markers showed that robust angiogenesis was involved in the repair process.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the gradient pore size structure provides superior conditions for bone regeneration.
Highlights
Defects of craniofacial bones can lead to significant complications in the appearance and oral function of patients [1]
This study aims to address the lack of in vivo data assessing the effect of Melt electrowritten (MEW) PCL scaffolds with offset and gradient structures on bone regeneration
Defects filled with scaffolds with a pore size of 500 μm and the offset.50.50 structures revealed that the new bone was mainly distributed on the periphery of the implanted scaffolds rather than the central region of the porous constructs
Summary
Defects of craniofacial bones can lead to significant complications in the appearance and oral function of patients [1]. Scaffold based tissue engineering approaches have shown promise in the reconstruction of bone defects. Tissue-engineering based bone regeneration continues to face considerable challenges. PCL is a highly biocompatible biodegradable polyester with a low degradation rate which is resorbed slowly making it a good candidate for regenerative medicine applications. In this respect, PCL has been shown to have significant potential for bone and cartilage repair [5]. The porosity of the scaffold is the most important factor regulating these mechanical properties, the penetration of regenerated tissue and subsequent vascularization. Biomaterial-based bone tissue engineering represents a promising solution to overcome reduced residual bone volume. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo osteoconductive capacity of PCL scaffolds with these different architectures
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
