Demonstrating the Potential of Using Bio-Based Sustainable Polyester Blends for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications

Abstract

Healthcare applications are known to have a considerable environmental impact and the use of bio-based polymers has emerged as a powerful approach to reduce the carbon footprint in the sector. This research aims to explore the suitability of using a new sustainable polyester blend (Floreon™) as a scaffold directed to aid in musculoskeletal applications. Musculoskeletal problems arise from a wide range of diseases and injuries related to bones and joints. Specifically, bone injuries may result from trauma, cancer, or long-term infections and they are currently considered a major global problem in both developed and developing countries. In this work we have manufactured a series of 3D-printed constructs from a novel biopolymer blend using fused deposition modelling (FDM), and we have modified these materials using a bioceramic (wollastonite, 15% w/w). We have evaluated their performance in vitro using human dermal fibroblasts and rat mesenchymal stromal cells. The new sustainable blend is biocompatible, showing no differences in cell metabolic activity when compared to PLA controls for periods 1–18 days. FloreonTM blend has proven to be a promising material to be used in bone tissue regeneration as it shows an impact strength in the same range of that shown by native bone (just under 10 kJ/m2) and supports an improvement in osteogenic activity when modified with wollastonite.

Guided Tissue and Bone Regeneration Membranes: A Review of Biomaterials and Techniques for Periodontal Treatments

“…Although the Floreon was originally designed for the packaging industry, it has recently been investigated as a scaffold for musculoskeletal applications. The conclusion drawn is that the Floreon blend showed great promise for use in bone tissue regeneration [ 124 ].…”

“…Despite this, it should be subject to further research to identify the bioactivity, osteogenic capacity, and immunogenicity of polymer composites when implanted in humans. These studies are driving the development of polymer/bioceramic based composites offering the advantages of both components [124]. • Lack of osteoinductivity [176] Bioglass 45S5 and poly (D, L-lactide) polymer…”

Effects of polycaprolactone viscosity on morphology, mechanical properties, water uptake, and cellular viability in poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate)/polycaprolactone blends for tissue engineering

“…The study of polyester‐based systems is particularly important for generating materials for the tissue engineering field due to many properties that include high biocompatibility, intracorporeal biodegradability, and ability to mediate protein and cell deposition events on its surface 34,35 . Due to these properties, these systems have been evaluated for many applications, such as skin regeneration systems, 36,37 peripheral nerves, 38,39 cardiac stents, 40,41 and mainly bone tissue 42‐44 …”

“…34,35 Due to these properties, these systems have been evaluated for many applications, such as skin regeneration systems, 36,37 peripheral nerves, 38,39 cardiac stents, 40,41 and mainly bone tissue. [42][43][44] In the context of bone tissue regeneration, polymers like PHB stand out as good candidates for obtaining regeneration scaffolds. In addition to its biodegradability and biocompatibility, PHB is highlighted due to its ability to stimulate bone growth by enabling rapid cell proliferation on its surface.…”

Function of the Long Noncoding RNAs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Classification, Molecular Mechanisms, and Significant Therapeutic Potentials

“…Carcinogenesis is frequently caused by abnormal expressions of genes [ 53 , 54 ]. Recent evidence suggests that RNA processing has been consistently changed in cancer [ 55 , 56 , 57 ], revealing the critical role of RNA in tumor genesis and cancer development [ 54 , 58 ]. The long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are mainly categorized according to their positional relationship with adjacent coding genes [ 59 ].…”