Effect of geometry and microstructure of honeycomb TCP scaffolds on bone regeneration

Abstract

In recent years, artificial biological materials have been commonly used for the treatment of bone tissue defects caused by trauma, tumors, or surgical stress. Although tricalcium phosphate (TCP) is a promising absorbent bone tissue reconstruction biomaterial, it has been reported that its biocompatibility and osteoconductivity depend on its preparation method and sintering temperature. In addition, although it is thought that the microenvironment produced by the extracellular matrix plays an important role in cell growth and differentiation, there have been few studies on how the geometric structure of artificial biological materials affects cells. In the present study, a new honeycomb TCP scaffold containing through-holes with diameters of 300 µm has been developed. The influence of the sintering temperature on the crystal structure and material properties of the honeycomb TCP scaffold was investigated using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Its biocompatibility and osteoconductivity were also evaluated by implantation into experimental animals. It was found that a β-TCP scaffold sintered at 1200°C exhibited high biocompatibility and osteoconductivity, and when it was loaded with BMP-2, it exhibited both osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity, promoting rapid bone formation in both ectopic and orthotopic areas. It is thus a highly promising bone reconstruction material that is expected to find clinical applications.

Modification of honeycomb bioceramic scaffolds for bone regeneration under the condition of excessive bone resorption

“…It is generally regarded that the minimum pore size of 100 μm supports bone ingrowth, and the size >300 μm is more beneficial for vascularization . Many studies demonstrated that the channel‐like pores facilitated fast vascularization and cell growth, thus conducing to better new bone regeneration . Previously, we originally fabricated honeycomb β‐TCP scaffolds through an extrusion method featuring high production.…”

“…38,39 Many studies demonstrated that the channel-like pores facilitated fast vascularization and cell growth, thus conducing to better new bone regeneration. [40][41][42][43] Previously, we originally fabricated honeycomb β-TCP scaffolds through an extrusion method featuring high production. The obtained scaffolds featured channel-like macropores, uniform pore structure and readily controllable macropore size.…”

Efficacy of Honeycomb TCP-induced Microenvironment on Bone Tissue Regeneration in Craniofacial Area

“…We have already succeeded in developing new honeycomb β-TCP which has a through-and-through hole penetrating the material in order to overcome the problems mentioned above. It was found that histologically the honeycomb β-TCP had high biological activity, when β-TCP at varied sintering temperatures was embedded into an experimental animal model 18 . In this study, we reproduced an extracellular microenvironment using new β-TCP that contained through-and-through holes and varied pore size in each material and investigated the effect of the extracellular microenvironment formed by honeycomb β-TCP on bone tissue formation.…”

Fabrication of carbonate apatite honeycomb and its tissue response

“…An interconnected porous structure is attractive for bone substitutes because bone tissue and cells can penetrate the bone substitute . Furthermore, microporous structure should play an important role in cell growth and differentiation, similar to the niche environment or microenvironment produced by the extracellular matrix . Among many porous structures available, the honeycomb (HC) structure is unique due to its fully interconnected and oriented pores having the same pore size, and shows high mechanical strength in the direction of the pores …”

“…[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] Furthermore, microporous structure should play an important role in cell growth and differentiation, similar to the niche environment or microenvironment produced by the extracellular matrix. [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] Among many porous structures available, the honeycomb (HC) structure is unique due to its fully interconnected and oriented pores having the same pore size, [34][35][36][37][38][39] and shows high mechanical strength in the direction of the pores. 40 Therefore, the feasibility to fabricate CO 3 Ap HC was studied herein, based on the HC extrusion method.…”