Engineering Three-Dimensional-Printed Bioactive Polylactic Acid Alginate Composite Scaffolds with Antibacterial and In Vivo Osteoinductive Capacity

Abstract

Although fused deposition modeling (FDM) has made it possible to create reproducible three-dimensional poly(lactic acid) (PLA) scaffolds, their efficacy for tissue engineering applications is limited by their lack of osteoinductive properties and antibacterial functions. Building on the success of the FDM constructs capable of supporting bone regeneration, we report here on the development of PLA scaffolds infused with sodium alginate cross-linked with both calcium and zinc divalent cations. Zn 2+ cations were used to confer antibacterial and osteoinductive properties to enhance the performance of nontoxic PLA-alginate. Both the PLA and alginate polymers have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. In vivo bone regeneration capacity was demonstrated on a rabbit model by tomography and histological analysis. The scaffolds exhibited antibacterial activity against Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while the control scaffolds could not resist the two microbial species tested. The scaffolds' physical properties were evaluated by field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy-disperse X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water absorption, porosity measurements, and compression tests in dry and swollen states at body temperature. Their superior compressive properties, water uptake, and osteoinductive and antibacterial activities thus make them promising candidates for bone tissue regeneration.

Biocompatible Alginate Film Crosslinked with Ca2+ and Zn2+ Possesses Antibacterial, Antiviral, and Anticancer Activities

“…Adding bioactive compounds, such as zinc, silver, copper, or carbon-based materials, is among the strategies to enhance alginate hydrogel’s biological properties . In fact, antimicrobial scaffolds of 3D printed polylactic acid filled with bioactive alginate containing zinc cations were recently shown to have antibacterial and osteoinductive properties . The material containing zin cations showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (S.…”

“… 2 In fact, antimicrobial scaffolds of 3D printed polylactic acid filled with bioactive alginate containing zinc cations were recently shown to have antibacterial and osteoinductive properties. 7 The material containing zin cations showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis ( S. epidermidis ; MRSE) and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa , while the control material without zinc ions could not inhibit the two microbial species tested. Zinc cations are involved in cell growth and apoptosis by regulating transcription factors, enzymes, and growth factors.…”

Polyvinylpyrrolidone—Alginate—Carbonate Hydroxyapatite Porous Composites for Dental Applications

“…CHA present in the composite is not only very close to the mineral composition of dentin, but also has a higher resorbability with respect to HA [ 66 ]. Alginate, cross-linked with calcium ions, could be an additional source of calcium ions for bone tissue cells and, therefore, also promotes mineralization [ 67 ]. In addition, the cross-linked alginate allows the scaffold microstructure to be preserved when in contact with liquids.…”

3D/4D printed super reconstructed foods: Characteristics, research progress, and prospects

“…In addition, Serra‐Aguado et al. (2022) proved that alginate can minimize stress on internal cells during printing and plays an important role in protecting cells. Accordingly, alginate has been considered as a prospective candidate for 3D printing‐based SRFs of plant cells materials.…”