Biosustainability in bone tissue engineering: combination of hydroxyapatite extracted from fish and Spirulina biomass in the formulation of inks for 3D printing of scaffolds.

• Grant number: 24/11111-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Renata Neves Granito
• Grantee: Renata Neves Granito
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ana Claudia Muniz Renno ; Anna Rafaela Cavalcante Braga ; DANIELA ADORNO FARIAS ; Veerle Bloemen
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/03246-8 - Combination of fish-derived hydroxyapatite and Spirulina biomass in the formulation of inks for 3D printing of scaffolds: in vitro and in vivo analyses., BP.DR

Abstract

In recent years, hydroxyapatite (HA) derived from fish bones and scales has emerged as a safe alternative to replace synthetic and bovine HA in applications related to bone tissue engineering, as similar chemical properties have been achieved through simple and economical methods. Furthermore, fish are abundant in the environment, and the utilization of their by-products is suitable for biomedical applications, with the significant advantage of reducing environmental pollution from waste generated by the fish trade activity. However, despite being recognized as biocompatible, HA lacks osteoinductive capabilities. On the other hand, some studies have been investigating the potential benefits of applying biomass from the cyanobacterium Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) to facilitate tissue regenerative processes. In this context, the investigation of bioactive compounds that can be incorporated into HA to reinforce its osteogenic properties becomes extremely relevant, associating socioeconomic and environmental appeal with potentiated biological effects, which could result in a gold standard biomaterial both in efficiency and effectiveness. Thus, this proposal aims to harness the potential of Brazilian biodiversity for the development of porous matrices (scaffolds) via 3D printing, using hydroxyapatite extracted from fish waste, in association or not with spirulina. From conception to experimental application, there will be 3 stages: (1) the development and physicochemical characterization of scaffolds via 3D printing; (2) in vitro studies involving indirect (extracts) and direct (cell-scaffold contact) tests on osteoblast precursor cells and encompassing various analyses related to the cytogenotoxicity of the biomaterial to its effects on cell metabolism and function; (3) in vivo studies with surgical implantation of 3D scaffolds in bone defects in rats. Thus, the results of these studies will provide data on the processing and preclinical osteogenic potential of a new type of graft, which will be valuable for the development of highly effective biomaterials, in terms of quality and accessibility to citizens, for the treatment of bone tissue disorders. (AU)