Engineering 3D printed bioactive composite scaffolds based on the combination of aliphatic polyester and calcium phosphates for bone tissue regeneration

Author(s)

Backes, Eduardo H. ^{[1, 2]} ; Fernandes, Emanuel M. ^{[3, 2]} ; Diogo, Gabriela S. ^{[3, 2]} ; Marques, Catarina F. ^{[3, 2]} ; Silva, Tiago H. ^{[3, 2]} ; Costa, Lidiane C. ^[1] ; Passador, Fabio R. ^[4] ; Reis, Rui L. ^{[3, 2]} ; Pessan, Luiz A. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Grad Program Mat Sci & Engn, Via Washington Luiz, Km 235, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Minho, Headquarters European Inst Excellence Tissue Engn, I3Bs Res Inst Biomat Biodegradables & Biomi, 3Bs Res Grp, AvePk, Parque Ciencia & Tecnol, P-4805017 Barco, Guimaraes - Portugal

^[3] ICVS 3Bs PT Govt Associate Lab, Braga, Guimaraes - Portugal

^[4] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Sci & Technol Inst, Talim St 330, BR-12231280 Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Materials Science & Engineering C-Materials for Biological Applications; v. 122, MAR 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

In this study, polylactic acid (PLA) filled with hydroxyapatite (HA) or beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) in 5 wt% and 10 wt% of concentration were produced employing twin-screw extrusion followed by fused filament fabrication in two different architectures, varying the orientation of fibers of adjacent layers. The extruded 3D filaments presented suitable rheological and thermal properties to manufacture of 3D scaffolds envisaging bone tissue engineering. The produced scaffolds exhibited a high level of printing accuracy related to the 3D model; confirmed by micro-CT and electron microscopy analysis. The developed architectures presented mechanical properties compatible with human bone replacement. The addition of HA and TCP made the filaments bioactive, and the deposition of new calcium phosphates was observed upon 7 days of incubation in simulated body fluid, exemplifying a microenvironment suitable for cell attachment and proliferation. After 7 days of cell culture, the constructs with a higher percentage of HA and TCP demonstrated a significantly superior amount of DNA when compared to neat PLA, indicating that higher concentrations of HA and TCP could guide a good cellular response and increasing cell cytocompatibility. Differentiation tests were performed, and the biocomposites of PLA/HA and PLA/TCP exhibited earlier markers of cell differentiation as confirmed by alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red assays. The 3D printed composite scaffolds, manufactured with bioactive materials and adequate porous size, supported cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation, which together with their scalability, promise a high potential for bone tissue engineering applications. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/11366-7 - Development of bio-inspired PLA/bioglass scaffolds via 3D printed
• Grantee: Eduardo Henrique Backes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 11/21313-1 - Study of the reaction kinetic and the addition of the metal deactivators in the grafting of maleic anhydride onto polypropylene in the presence and absence of the nanoparticles
• Grantee: Silvia Helena Prado Bettini
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/13625-2 - Evaluation of the mechanical properties and bioactivity of bio-inspired PLA/bioactive fillers scaffolds produced via 3D printing
• Grantee: Eduardo Henrique Backes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/09609-9 - Development of bioinspired scaffolds of PLA/bioactive ceramic fillers through 3D printing
• Grantee: Luiz Antonio Pessan
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants