TY - JOUR
T1 - Three-dimensional printed bone scaffolds
T2 - The role of nano/micro-hydroxyapatite particles on the adhesion and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells
AU - Domingos, Marco
AU - Gloria, Antonio
AU - Coelho, Jorge F J
AU - Da Silva Bartolo, Paulo Jorge
AU - Ciurana, Joaquim
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - Bone tissue engineering is strongly dependent on the use of three-dimensional scaffolds that can act as templates to accommodate cells and support tissue ingrowth. Despite its wide application in tissue engineering research, polycaprolactone presents a very limited ability to induce adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic cell differentiation. To overcome some of these limitations, different calcium phosphates, such as hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate, have been employed with relative success. This work investigates the influence of nano-hydroxyapatite and micro-hydroxyapatite (nHA and mHA, respectively) particles on the in vitro biomechanical performance of polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite scaffolds. Morphological analysis performed with scanning electron microscopy allowed us to confirm the production of polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite constructs with square interconnected pores of approximately 350mm and to assess the distribution of hydroxyapatite particles within the polymer matrix. Compression mechanical tests showed an increase in polycaprolactone compressive modulus (E) from 105.5611.2 to 138.8612.9 MPa (PCL_nHA) and 217.2621.8 MPa (PCL_mHA). In comparison to PCL_mHA scaffolds, the addition of nano-hydroxyapatite enhanced the adhesion and viability of human mesenchymal stem cells as confirmed by Alamar Blue assay. In addition, after 14 days of incubation, PCL_nHA scaffolds showed higher levels of alkaline phosphatase activity compared to polycaprolactone or PCL_mHA structures.
AB - Bone tissue engineering is strongly dependent on the use of three-dimensional scaffolds that can act as templates to accommodate cells and support tissue ingrowth. Despite its wide application in tissue engineering research, polycaprolactone presents a very limited ability to induce adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic cell differentiation. To overcome some of these limitations, different calcium phosphates, such as hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate, have been employed with relative success. This work investigates the influence of nano-hydroxyapatite and micro-hydroxyapatite (nHA and mHA, respectively) particles on the in vitro biomechanical performance of polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite scaffolds. Morphological analysis performed with scanning electron microscopy allowed us to confirm the production of polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite constructs with square interconnected pores of approximately 350mm and to assess the distribution of hydroxyapatite particles within the polymer matrix. Compression mechanical tests showed an increase in polycaprolactone compressive modulus (E) from 105.5611.2 to 138.8612.9 MPa (PCL_nHA) and 217.2621.8 MPa (PCL_mHA). In comparison to PCL_mHA scaffolds, the addition of nano-hydroxyapatite enhanced the adhesion and viability of human mesenchymal stem cells as confirmed by Alamar Blue assay. In addition, after 14 days of incubation, PCL_nHA scaffolds showed higher levels of alkaline phosphatase activity compared to polycaprolactone or PCL_mHA structures.
U2 - 10.1177/0954411916680236
DO - 10.1177/0954411916680236
M3 - Article
SN - 0954-4119
JO - Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Proceedings. Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine
JF - Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Proceedings. Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine
ER -