Construction of Biomimetic Natural Wood Hierarchical Porous-Structure Bioceramic with Micro/Nanowhisker Coating to Modulate Cellular Behavior and Osteoinductive Activity

Abstract

Scaffolds with a biomimetic hierarchy micro/nanoscale pores play an important role in bone tissue regeneration. In this study, multilevel porous calcium phosphate (CaP) bioceramic orthopedic implants were constructed to mimic the micro/nanostructural hierarchy in natural wood. The biomimetic hierarchical porous scaffolds were fabricated by combining three-dimensional (3D) printing technology and hydrothermal treatment. The first-level macropores (∼100–600 μm) for promoting bone tissue ingrowth were precisely designed using a set of 3D printing parameters. The second-level micro/nanoscale pores (∼100–10,000 nm) in the scaffolds were obtained by hydrothermal treatment to promote nutrient/metabolite transportation. Micro- and nanoscale-sized pores in the scaffolds were recognized as in situ formation of whiskers, where the shape, diameter, and length of whiskers were modulated by adjusting the components of calcium phosphate ceramics and hydrothermal treatment parameters. These biomimetic natural wood-like hierarchical structured scaffolds demonstrated unique physical and biological properties. Hydrophilicity and the protein adsorption rate were characterized in these scaffolds. In vitro studies have identified micro/nanowhisker coating as potent modulators of cellular behavior through the onset of focal adhesion formation. In addition, histological results indicate that biomimetic scaffolds with porous natural wood hierarchical pores exhibited good osteoinductive activity. In conclusion, these findings combined suggested that micro/nanowhisker coating is a critical factor to modulate cellular behavior and osteoinductive activity.

The Improvement in Surface Properties of Metallic Implant via Magnetron Sputtering: Recent Progress and Remaining Challenges

“…Biomimetics is a new era material science topic that probes deep into the secrets about how Nature's route functions and explores the elements of science engineering, to imitate therapeutic products (Wu et al, 2020). To deposit biomimetic carbonated hydroxyapatite, substrates are placed in simulated body fluid (SBF)/ Hank's mixture for many weeks at 37 °C.…”

Cartilaginous spheroid-assembly design considerations for endochondral ossification: towards robotic-driven biomanufacturing

“…However, this could be mitigated by developing parallelized syringe systems while multiple spheroid aspiration also could be further explored. Moreover, combination with biomaterials [60,61] or self-healing support hydrogels on the receiver well-plate could improve spatial organization during fusion of spheroids into tissue constructs [62]. The use of 'bioink' and 3D printing has also been explored to create more elaborate shapes [63,64], although the proximity of spheroids is of importance to allow spreading and fusion into a functional tissue.…”

Fabrication and biological evaluation of porous β-TCP bioceramics produced using digital light processing

“…The hierarchical porous ceramic scaffold combined with macropores and micropores is promoted to osteoconduction, cell adhesion, extracellular organic deposition, nutrition and oxygen entry as well as metabolite discharge. 18…”