Effect of Dual Pore Size Architecture on In Vitro Osteogenic Differentiation in Additively Manufactured Hierarchical Scaffolds

Abstract

The combination of macro-and microporosity is a potent manner of enhancing osteogenic potential, but the biological events leading to this increase in osteogenesis are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of a dual pore size scaffold on the physical and biological properties, with the hypothesis that cell condensation is the determining factor for enhanced osteogenic differentiation. To this end, a hierarchical scaffold possessing a dual (large and small) pore size was fabricated by combining two additive manufacturing techniques: melt electrospinning writing (MEW) and fused deposition modeling (FDM). The scaffolds showed a mechanical stiffness of 23.2 ± 1.5 MPa similar to the FDM control scaffold, while the hybrid revealed an increased specific surface area of 1.4 ± 0.1 m 2 /g. The scaffold was cultured with primary human osteoblasts for 28 days, which showed enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation. The hierarchical structure was also beneficial for in vitro alkaline phosphate activity and mineralization and showed an increased expression of osteogenic protein and genes. Mesenchymal condensation markers related to osteoblastic differentiation (CDH2, RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42) were upregulated in the hybrid construct, demonstrating that the MEW membrane provided an environment more suitable for the recapitulation of cell condensation, which in turn leads to higher osteogenic differentiation. In summary, this study demonstrated that the hierarchical scaffold developed in this paper leads to a significant improvement in the scaffold properties such as increased specific surface area, initial cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and in vitro osteogenesis.

Three-Dimensional Impression of Biomaterials for Alveolar Graft: Scoping Review

“…Out of the 75 in vivo studies included, 17 evaluated the efficiency of the PCL matrix [ 32 , 35 , 37 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 62 , 63 , 65 , 66 , 73 , 77 , 81 , 120 ]. This biomaterial is the most well reviewed biomaterial in literature due to its high biocompatibility, durability and subsequent extensive use [ 37 ].…”

“…Shim et al reported that porosity affects osteogenesis, with matrices with 30% porosity showing better osteogenic capacity than groups with 50% and 70% porosity [ 115 ]. Regarding pore size, the literature suggests that the ideal size should be between 400 to 600 μm [ 63 , 103 , 111 ]. Finally, the pore configuration should also be considered in terms of the dynamic stability of the matrix.…”

Mussel-Inspired Adhesive Hydrogels Based on Laponite-Confined Dopamine Polymerization as a Transdermal Patch

“…Small sections of freeze-dried polymeric scaffolds (PVA-PDA, PVA-l-PDA) were taken and sputter-coated with gold using a sputtering unit. The pore sizes and porosity were estimated by analyzing the SEM images using the ImageJ program. − …”

Applications of 3D printing in aging

“…Further proof that the PHBV/ CaSH/CS scaffold might successfully encourage the development of new bone came from in vivo investigations. Ratheesh et al [ 110 ] prepared a double pore size layered scaffold using polycaprolactone (PCL) in combination with melt electrowriting (MEW) and FDM, and the layered scaffold showed improved performance with significantly larger specific surface area and enhanced cell proliferation, which promote cell adhesion and in vitro osteogenesis compared to the FDM control scaffold.…”