Dual drug spatiotemporal release from functional gradient scaffolds prepared using 3D bioprinting and electrospinning

Abstract

Functional gradient scaffolds play an important role in osteochondral tissue engineering because they can meet the essential requirement for a gradual transition of both physical and chemical properties in osteochondral tissue regeneration. There is a requirement for 3D composite osteochondral regeneration scaffolds with multiscale structures that are capable of controlling release of multiple biomolecules. To this end, this article describes a 3D bioprinting platform integrated forming system designed to produce various drug-loaded scaffolds. A novel scaffold was fabricated by the self-developed 3D bioprinting platform combining extrusion deposition with multi-nozzle electrospinning. For temporally controlled release of gentamycin sulfate (GS) and desferoxamine (DFO), blend electrospun GS/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and coaxial electrospun core (PVA-DFO)/shell (polycaprolactone; PCL) fibers were deposited in the scaffold. After a 25-day time-lapse release study in vitro, results showed GS released faster than DFO during the early stages and sustained release of DFO for long periods. For spatially controlled release of DFO, the vertically gradient gelatin/sodium alginate (SA) scaffolds presented to enable the release amount of DFO in a gradient mode. The experiment and test results demonstrate the validity of the 3D bioprinting platform integrated forming system and the excellent properties of such scaffolds for performing multidrug spatiotemporal release. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 171 FIG. 6. Release profiles of desferoxamine (DFO) from segments G1, G2, and G3 cut from the composite scaffold, based on (a) mass changes and (b) percentage release relative to the total amount loaded per scaffold. This release profile indicated the gradient release among G1, G2, and G3, respectively. *P < 0.05.

Preparation of active 3D film patches via aligned fiber electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing

“…Electron micrographs of the two samples are shown in Fig. 7b (pore size 200 × 200 μm 2 ) and 7d (pore size 500 × 500 μm 2 ), demonstrating a clear and precise 3D hierarchical structure consisting of interconnected pores and clear and distinct layers which is not possible using conventional or recently modified ES techniques47.…”

Bioprinting of osteochondral tissues: A perspective on current gaps and future trends

“…The constructs showed promising results in the repair of rabbit knee joints. Recently, an EBB platform has been combined with a multi-nozzle electrospinning technique to fabricate gradient constructs with differential release rates of gentamycin sulfate (GS) and desferoxamine (DFO), which can be extended to co-print cells [76] .…”

Recent Progress of Fabrication of Cell Scaffold by Electrospinning Technique for Articular Cartilage Tissue Engineering

“…Fabricating scaffolds with gradients of molecules and element particles for tissue engineering has drawn substantial attention. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) and gentamycin sulfate (GS) gradients have been achieved with mineralized cartilage [ 18 ] and spatiotemporal drug release [ 35 ]. Ramalingam et al reported a scaffold with amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles (nACP) gradient by coelectrospinning.…”