Large artificial bone from 3D printed polycaprolactone/β-tricalcium phosphate (3D PCL/β-TCP) effectively promoting MC3T3-E1 cell adhesion, proliferation, and new bone formation

Abstract

The use of 3D printing technology has advanced the bone tissue engineering, and constructing large artificial bones for repairing large-scale bone defects is highly significant. This study aimed to construct large artificial bones in a precise and controllable manner, focusing on repairing critical-sized bone defects. The researchers used 3D printing technology to synthesize 3D PCL/β-TCP, and then evaluated its ability to promote MC3T3-E1 cell adhesion, proliferation, and new bone formation through a series of characterizations. The results confirmed that 3D PCL/β-TCP, presented as a lattice structure similar to natural bone, could be used to prepare personalized artificial bone blocks based on the actual range of bone defects. The researchers also experimented with dipping 3D PCL/β-TCP bone blocks in different proportions of β-TCP and found that PT2 showed better mechanical and hydrophilic properties. Further experiments showed that PT2 presented excellent biocompatibility and outstanding capacity to promote MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and adhesion, and that 3D PCL/β-TCP bone blocks possessed good osteogenic activity. Finally, it was suggested that PT2 exhibited the property of promoting new bone formation. These findings provide experimental data support for the repair of critical-sized bone defects.