3D printed bioresorbable scaffolds for articular cartilage tissue engineering: a comparative study between neat polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(lactide-b-ethylene glycol) (PLA-PEG) block copolymer

Abstract

This work identifies and describes different material-scaffold geometry combinations for Cartilage Tissue Engineering (CTE). Previously reported potentially interesting scaffold geometries were tuned and printed using bioresorbable PCL (polycaprolactone) and PLA PEG- (poly(lactide-b-ethylene) block copolymer). Medical grades of both polymers were 3D printed with FFF technology within an ISO 7 classified cleanroom. Resulting scaffolds were then optically, mechanically and biologically tested. Results indicated that a few material-scaffold geometry combinations present potential for excellent cell viability as well as for an enhance of the chondrogenic properties of the cells, hence suggesting their suitability for CTE applications.

Additive manufacturing of sustainable biomaterials for biomedical applications

“… Type of tissue Target tissue Biopolymeric material(s) Printing technique In vitro study Structure Ref. Hard Bone PEG/Silk/PCL Extrusion-based 3D printing BMSCs Crypt-like structures [356] Bone Gel/PVA Extrusion-based 3D printing MG63 cells – [357] Bone PLA FDM hBMSCs – [358] Bone PVA/BC FDM Human osteoblast cells – [359] Soft Cartilage PCL/PLA/PEG FDM hBMSCs Layer by layer-based honeycomb structure [360] Cartilage SF/PEG Extrusion-based 3D printing Chondrocytes Disk/meniscus-shaped scaffold: [361] Cartilage SF/Gelatin Extrusion-based 3D printing hMSCs Layer-based 3D structure [362] Nasal cartilage Collagen Extrusion-based 3D printing Human chondrocytes Microporous structure [363] Nerve Alginate/CMC/ agarose DIW Human iPSC-derived glial cells Layered porous structure [364] Nerve PCL Electrohydrodynamic jet-based 3D printing PC12 Tubular multi-layered complex [365] Skin Keratin/glycol chitosan ...…”

Reinforcement of Hydrogels with a 3D-Printed Polycaprolactone (PCL) Structure Enhances Cell Numbers and Cartilage ECM Production under Compression

“…By using synthetic polymers in 3D printing, scaffolds with durable stability can be fabricated to withstand the force or loading on the joints [ 31 ]. Polycaprolactone (PCL), which gained approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006, is a biodegradable synthetic biomaterial with excellent mechanical properties that has been extensively used in CTE applications [ 32 , 33 ]. Synthetic polymers, however, do not provide an adequate environment for cells due to their hydrophobic properties [ 34 ].…”