Nanotopographical 3D-Printed Poly(ε-caprolactone) Scaffolds Enhance Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Urine-Derived Stem Cells for Bone Regeneration

Abstract

3D-printing technology can be used to construct personalized bone substitutes with customized shapes, but it cannot regulate the topological morphology of the scaffold surface, which plays a vital role in regulating the biological behaviors of stem cells. In addition, stem cells are able to sense the topographical and mechanical cues of surface of scaffolds by mechanosensing and mechanotransduction. In our study, we fabricated a 3D-printed poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffold with a nanotopographical surface and loaded it with urine-derived stem cells (USCs) for application of bone regeneration. The topological 3D-printed PCL scaffolds (TPS) fabricated by surface epiphytic crystallization, possessed uniformly patterned nanoridges, of which the element composition and functional groups of nanoridges were the same as PCL. Compared with bare 3D-printed PCL scaffolds (BPS), TPS have a higher ability for protein adsorption and mineralization in vitro. The proliferation, cell length, and osteogenic gene expression of USCs on the surface of TPS were significantly higher than that of BPS. In addition, the TPS loaded with USCs exhibited a good ability for bone regeneration in cranial bone defects. Our study demonstrated that nanotopographical 3D-printed scaffolds loaded with USCs are a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for bone regeneration.

Stem Cells and Bone Tissue Engineering

“…The topological 3D-printed PCL scaffolds (TPSs), fabricated by surface epiphytic crystallization, possessed uniformly patterned nanoridges, with an element composition and functional grouping of nanoridges that were the same as those of the native PCL. Compared with bare 3D-printed PCL scaffolds (BPSs), TPSs have a higher ability for protein adsorption and mineralization in vitro [ 155 ]. The proliferation, cell length, and osteogenic gene expression of UDSCs on the surface of TPSs were significantly higher than that of BPSs.…”

Scalable Fabrication of Polymeric Composite Microspheres to Inhibit Oral Pathogens and Promote Osteogenic Differentiation of Periodontal Membrane Stem Cells

“…Given the strong clinical impact, there have been sustained efforts to prepare biodegradable polymeric microspheres loaded with various antimicrobial and osteoblastic agents. − Ma et al employed a thermally induced phase separation technique to prepare poly­( l -lactic acid) (PLLA) nanofibrous spongy microspheres. Then, it was integrated with PLLA/polyethylene glycol (PEG)-co-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles and poly­(lactic acid- co -glycolic acid) microspheres to form composite microspheres for preventing alveolar bone loss .…”

Attributes of Nanomaterials and Nanotopographies for Improved Bone Tissue Engineering and Regeneration

“…6 One application of nanotechnology in tissue engineering is the use of nanotopography as scaffolds for bone regeneration. 7 These are extremely small structures, typically with a diameter of less than 100 nm, that can be woven together to form a scaffold with a high surface area/volume ratio. A favorable microenvironment for bone regeneration through osteoimmune modulation and differentiation into osteogenic cells is made possible by the scaffold's small size and ability to imitate the inherent form of bone tissue.…”

“…Nanotechnology exhibits a considerable potential in the BTE and regeneration of bone . One application of nanotechnology in tissue engineering is the use of nanotopography as scaffolds for bone regeneration . These are extremely small structures, typically with a diameter of less than 100 nm, that can be woven together to form a scaffold with a high surface area/volume ratio.…”