Intervertebral disk tissue engineering using biphasic silk composite scaffolds

Scaffolds composed of synthetic, natural, and hybrid materials have been investigated as options to restore intervertebral disk (IVD) tissue function. These systems fall short of the lamellar features of the native annulus fibrosus (AF) tissue or focus only on the nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue. However, successful regeneration of the entire IVD requires a combination approach to restore functions of both the AF and NP. To address this need, a biphasic biomaterial structure was generated by using silk protein for the AF and fibrin/hyaluronic acid (HA) gels for the NP. Two cell types, porcine AF cells and chondrocytes, were utilized. For the AF tissue, two types of scaffold morphologies, lamellar and porous, were studied with the porous system serving as a control. Toroidal scaffolds formed out of the lamellar, and porous silk materials were used to generate structures with an outer diameter of 8 mm, inner diameter of 3.5 mm, and a height of 3 mm (the interlamellar distance in the lamellar scaffold was 150-250 μm, and the average pore sizes in the porous scaffolds were 100-250 μm). The scaffolds were seeded with porcine AF cells to form AF tissue, whereas porcine chondrocytes were encapsulated in fibrin/HA hydrogels for the NP tissue and embedded in the center of the toroidal disk. Histology, biochemical assays, and gene expression indicated that the lamellar scaffolds supported AF-like tissue over 2 weeks. Porcine chondrocytes formed the NP phenotype within the hydrogel after 4 weeks of culture with the AF tissue that had been previously cultured for 2 weeks, for a total of 6 weeks of cultivation. This biphasic scaffold simulating in combination of both AF and NP tissues was effective in the formation of the total IVD in vitro.     

Migration of Co-cultured Endothelial Cells and Osteoblasts in Composite Hydroxyapatite/Polylactic Acid Scaffolds

Regeneration of bone in large segmental bone defects requires regeneration of both cortical bone and trabecular bone. A scaffold design consisting of a hydroxyapatite (HA) ring surrounding a polylactic acid (PLA) core simulates the structure of bone and provides an environment for indirect and direct co-culture conditions. In this experiment, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EC) and normal human primary osteoblasts (OB) were co-cultured to evaluate cell migration and interactions within this biphasic composite scaffold. Both cell types were able to migrate between the different material phases of the scaffold. It was also observed that OB migration increased when they were co-cultured with ECs, whereas EC migration decreased in co-culture. The results show that co-culture of ECs and OBs in this composite biphasic scaffold allows for migration of cells throughout the scaffold and that pre-seeding a scaffold with ECs can increase OB infiltration into desired areas of the scaffold.     

A novel collagen/hydroxyapatite/poly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) biodegradable and bioactive 3D porous scaffold for bone regeneration

The goal of this study was to design a nontoxic scaffold with both composition and microstructure suitable for bone engineering using collagen (Coll), hydroxyapatite (HA), and poly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL). Mineralized type I Coll was produced by direct nucleation of HA particles inside self-assembled Coll fibers to obtain a Coll/HA complex, which was then added to dissolved PLCL (70:30) in 1,4-dioxane. A 3D porous Coll/HA/PLCL scaffold was subsequently produced through freeze-drying/lyophilization and salt-leaching procedures. The resulting Coll/HA/PLCL scaffold displayed a high uniform porosity and highly interconnected pores. X-ray photoelectron spectrometer and Fourier transform infrared analyses revealed the presence of both collagen and HA particles on the surface of the Coll/HA/PLCL scaffold. Proliferation assay, microscopic observations, and gene analysis with quantitative RT-PCR showed that osteoblast cells were able to attach, proliferate, and maintain an osteoblastlike phenotype when cultured on the Coll/HA/PLCL scaffold. In summary, we produced a nontoxic scaffold that contains natural polymers (Coll and HA) and synthetic polymer (PLCL). Through its chemical composition and porous morphology, this scaffold may be useful for osteoblast growth, differentiation, and bone tissue formation.     

透明质酸/壳聚糖复合支架的制备及其力学性能评价

目的　模拟天然骨组织的结构和成分,寻找适合骨组织工程的新型支架材料。 方法 以透明质酸、壳聚糖为基质材料,在微酸性环境中以一定配比与氯化钙和磷酸二氢钠混合,冷冻干燥得到多孔复合支架材料。然后在乙醇/水/尿素环境中分别陈化0、2、4、8、12和24 h,以生成产物钙磷盐前驱体转变为羟基磷灰石,最终制备出一种深度矿化的透明质酸/壳聚糖复合支架。并通过SEM、EDS等对支架进行表征,研究支架的形貌、成分及力学强度等性能。 结果 SEM观察显示,支架材料具有比较均匀的多孔结构,孔径大小为100~200 μm。EDS结果表明,复合支架在一次冻干之后形成的是磷酸氢钙（DCPD）,随着陈化时间的延长,DCPD逐渐向羟基磷灰石（HAP）转化。而压缩强度则表明经过原位矿化的支架力学性能显著提高。 结论 通过该法得到的透明质酸/壳聚糖复合支架可作为骨组织工程的新型支架材料。     

Preparation and characterization of bionic bone structure chitosan/hydroxyapatite scaffold for bone tissue engineering

Three-dimensional oriented chitosan (CS)/hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds were prepared via in situ precipitation method in this research. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicated that the scaffolds with acicular nano-HA had the spoke-like, multilayer and porous structure. The SEM of osteoblasts which were polygonal or spindle-shaped on the composite scaffolds after seven-day cell culture showed that the cells grew, adhered, and spread well. The results of X-ray powder diffractometer and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer showed that the mineral particles deposited in the scaffold had phase structure similar to natural bone and confirmed that particles were exactly HA. In vitro biocompatibility evaluation indicated the composite scaffolds showed a higher degree of proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cell compared with the pure CS scaffolds and the CS/HA10 scaffold was the highest one. The CS/HA scaffold also had a higher ratio of adhesion and alkaline phosphate activity value of osteoblasts compared with the pure CS scaffold, and the ratio increased with the increase of HA content. The ALP activity value of composite scaffolds was at least six times of the pure CS scaffolds. The results suggested that the composite scaffolds possessed good biocompatibility. The compressive strength of CS/HA15 increased by 33.07% compared with the pure CS scaffold. This novel porous scaffold with three-dimensional oriented structure might have a potential application in bone tissue engineering.     

Biphasic calcium phosphate nanocomposite porous scaffolds for load-bearing bone tissue engineering

A novel biodegradable nanocomposite porous scaffold comprising a beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) matrix and hydroxyl apatite (HA) nanofibers was developed and studied for load-bearing bone tissue engineering. HA nanofibers were prepared with a biomimetic precipitation method. The composite scaffolds were fabricated by a method combining the gel casting and polymer sponge techniques. The role of HA nanofibers in enhancing the mechanical properties of the scaffold was investigated. Compression tests were performed to measure the compressive strength, modulus and toughness of the porous scaffolds. The identification and morphology of HA nanofibers were determined by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the morphology of porous scaffolds and fracture surfaces to reveal the dominant toughening mechanisms. The results showed that the mechanical property of the scaffold was significantly enhanced by the inclusion of HA nanofibers. The porous composite scaffold attained a compressive strength of 9.8 +/- 0.3 MPa, comparable to the high-end value (2-10 MPa) of cancellous bone. The toughness of the scaffold increased from 1.00+/-0.04 to 1.72+/-0.02 kN/m, as the concentration of HA nanofibers increased from 0 to 5 wt %.     

Bone regeneration by using scaffold based on mineralized recombinant collagen

Bone regeneration was achieved in the 15-mm segmental defect model in the radius of rabbit by using the scaffold based on mineralized recombinant collagen for the first time. The recombinant collagen was recombinant human-like type I collagen, which was produced by cloning a partial cDNA that was reversed by mRNA from human collagen alpha1(I) and transferred to E. coli. The scaffold material nano-hydroxyapatite/recombinant human-like collagen/poly(lactic acid) (nHA/RHLC/PLA) was developed by biomimetic synthesis. Thermo gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were applied to exhibit that the scaffold showed some features of natural bone both in main component and hierarchical microstructure. The percentages of organic phase and inorganic phase of nHA/RHLC were similar to that of natural bone. The three-dimensional porous scaffold materials mimic the microstructure of cancellous bone. In the implantation experiment, the segmental defect was healed 24 weeks after surgery, and the implanted composite was completely substituted by new bone tissue. The results of the implantation experiment were very comparable with that of the scaffold based on mineralized animal-sourced collagen. It is concluded that the scaffold based on mineralized recombinant collagen maintains the advantages of mineralized animal-sourced collagen, while avoids potential virus-dangers. The scaffold is a promising material for bone tissue engineering.     

The in situ synthesis of biphasic calcium phosphate scaffolds with controllable compositions, structures, and adjustable properties

In this study, biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) porous scaffolds with controllable phase compositions, controllable macropore percentages, and thus adjustable properties were in situ prepared by sintering a series of composites consisted of calcium phosphate cement (CPC) and porous resin negative mold made from rapid prototyping (RP) technique. The CPC pastes were formed by mixing a powder mixture of tetracalcium phosphate and anhydrous dicalcium phosphate with liquid phase of diluted phosphate acid solution. Results show that the phase composition was easily adjustable by controlling both weight ratio of the powder mixture to the liquid phase (P/L) and concentration of the liquid phase. The macropore structure of the BCP scaffold can be regulated by using different RP negative molds. Through in vitro compressive strength (CS) and immersion tests, it was demonstrated that both macropore percentage and phase composition played important roles in the CS and also the dissolving rates of the scaffolds. As the macropore percentage of the scaffold increased, its CS decreased but the dissolving rate increased; also, as the weight ratio of hydroxyapatite to tricalcium (HA/TCP) in the scaffold increased, the CS first increased and then decreased but the dissolving rate uniformly decreased. The CS values of the BCP scaffolds with a HA/TCP weight ratio of 59:41 were 5.84 +/- 1.16 MPa for a total porosity of approximately 67.67% containing a macropore percentage of 30%, and 3.34 +/- 0.79 MPa for a total porosity of approximately 70.90% containing a macropore percentage of 50%, respectively, comparable to the corresponding levels of human cancellous bone (2-12 MPa).     

壳聚糖与海藻酸钙双相陶瓷骨支架的机械性能及细胞相容性

BACKGROUND: Hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate biphasic ceramic bone has good cell compatibility, but its mechanical properties are poor. OBJECTIVE: To construct chitosan/ or calcium alginate/biphasic ceramic bone scaffolds and to detect their mechanical properties and cytocompatibility. METHODS: Different concentrations of chitosan (2%, 4%, 7%, 10%) or calcium alginate (3%, 4%, 5%, 7%) were mixed with biphasic ceramic bone to prepare chitosan/biphasic ceramic bone scaffold and calcium alginate/biphasic ceramic bone scaffold. Their morphology and structure, coagulation time, anti-dissolution properties, shear force, compressive strength and cell compatibility were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Coagulation time: with the concentration increase, the initial and final setting time of these two kinds of composite scaffolds were prolonged to some extent. (2) Scanning electron microscopy: these two kinds of composite scaffolds showed porous microstructures with different pore sizes. (3) Anti-dissolution properties: the calcium alginate/biphasic ceramic bone scaffold (3%, 4%, 5%, 7%) and chitosan/biphasic ceramic bone scaffold (7%, 10%) had good anti-dissolution properties in the liquid. (4) Mechanical strength: with the concentration increase, the shear force and compressive strength of the calcium alginate/biphasic ceramic bone scaffold were reduced. (5) Cell compatibility: the cytotoxicity of chitosan/ or calcium alginate/biphasic ceramic bone scaffolds was graded as 0-1 or 2-3, respectively. These results show that the chitosan/biphasic ceramic bone scaffold has better mechanical properties and cell compatibility than the calcium alginate/biphasic ceramic bone scaffold.      

HA/β-TCP支架材料的研究进展

随着骨修复材料需求的增多,HA/β-TCP复合支架作为一种兼具良好的生物相容性、生物降解性、骨传导性以及骨诱导性的生物材料受到了人们的广泛关注。本文关注于web of science上的相关文献,主要论述以下几个方面内容:HA/β-TCP组成比例对复合支架的性能影响;HA/β-TCP复合支架与其他主流材料的复合;新制作工艺的出现与结构改进。在技术推进和研究深入的背景下,对作为骨修复工程中较为理想的生物材料HA/β-TCP复合支架的发展现状进行介绍。     

透明质酸改性的聚乳酸支架

背景：聚乳酸材料不具备细胞外基质材料的良好细胞亲和性能,采用化学方法将透明质酸交联制得的水凝胶具有良好的生物相容性。 目的：以透明质酸对新型多孔隙率聚乳酸支架的进行改性,观察改性后支架的细胞相容性的改变。 方法：采用盐析法制备出高孔隙率聚乳酸支架,采用低浓度NaOH进行表面轻度水解后,利用EDC和透明质酸进行支架的改性。 结果与结论：透明质酸改性聚乳酸支架在扫描电镜下显示为多微孔的三维立体结构,孔壁及界面平滑,孔隙之间可见更细小微孔相连。改性聚乳酸支架水滴渗入较快,改性后多孔支架的保水能力与吸水能力得到明显的改善;透明质酸改性聚乳酸支架上细胞黏附及增殖优于未改性聚乳酸支架。透明质酸改性聚乳酸组软骨细胞生长密度及基质分泌更加旺盛。表明透明质酸改性聚乳酸多孔支架仍保持多孔的三维结构,其水亲和力、吸水能力、保水能力和细胞相容性均得到明显改善。 关键词：透明质酸;聚乳酸;多孔支架;表面改性;水亲和力;吸水能力 doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2012.03.023     

Three-dimensional printing of porous ceramic scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

This article reports a new process chain for custom-made three-dimensional (3D) porous ceramic scaffolds for bone replacement with fully interconnected channel network for the repair of osseous defects from trauma or disease. Rapid prototyping and especially 3D printing is well suited to generate complex-shaped porous ceramic matrices directly from powder materials. Anatomical information obtained from a patient can be used to design the implant for a target defect. In the 3D printing technique, a box filled with ceramic powder is printed with a polymer-based binder solution layer by layer. Powder is bonded in wetted regions. Unglued powder can be removed and a ceramic green body remains. We use a modified hydroxyapatite (HA) powder for the fabrication of 3D printed scaffolds due to the safety of HA as biocompatible implantable material and efficacy for bone regeneration. The printed ceramic green bodies are consolidated at a temperature of 1250 degrees C in a high temperature furnace in ambient air. The polymeric binder is pyrolysed during sintering. The resulting scaffolds can be used in tissue engineering of bone implants using patient-derived cells that are seeded onto the scaffolds.This article describes the process chain, beginning from data preparation to 3D printing tests and finally sintering of the scaffold. Prototypes were successfully manufactured and characterized. It was demonstrated that it is possible to manufacture parts with inner channels with a dimension down to 450 microm and wall structures with a thickness down to 330 microm. The mechanical strength of dense test parts is up to 22 MPa.     

聚乳酸/聚乙二醇-聚乳酸新型亲水支架的制备与研究

利用热致相分离/粒子沥滤结合法,制备了聚乳酸(PDLLA)以及聚乳酸与聚乙二醇-聚乳酸共聚物(PELA)复合的PDLLA/PELA组织工程支架。讨论了聚乙二醇(PEG)分子量、PELA含量及组成比对于支架内部结构、力学性能、降解行为和细胞毒性的影响。结果表明,热致相分离/粒子沥滤结合法制备的支架,具有100~250μm大孔与5~40μm小孔兼备的特殊内部结构,PEG含量愈高、PEG分子量愈小,支架的孔隙率愈大。PDLLA/PELA比率的减小,PEG/PLA比率的增大会引起支架力学性能的下降和降解的加速。材料无细胞毒性。当支架中PDLLA/PELA为3∶1,PEG 5000/PLA为25∶75时,其内部孔形态最为理想。     

多孔HA/PU复合支架材料生物相容性的评估

进行了三维多孔立体结构的纳米羟基磷灰石/聚氨酯(HA/PU)复合支架材料体外细胞培养和体内肌肉埋植实验研究,评估材料的生物相容性。实验选用SD大鼠的骨髓基质干细胞(BMSCs)和健康的SD雌性大鼠,进行细胞相容性、形态学观察和组织学切片分析。HA/PU支架材料的多孔性为细胞的生长提供了良好的微环境,细胞在内部贴壁爬行、增殖并分化,细胞毒性为零级,材料与周围组织有良好的结合,降解的空间有结缔组织纤维长入。实验表明,HA/PU复合支架材料具有良好的细胞亲和性和组织学相容性,可作为一类新型组织工程支架材料。     

Hierarchically biomimetic bone scaffold materials: nano-HA/collagen/PLA composite

A bone scaffold material (nano-HA/ collagen/PLA composite) was developed by biomimetic synthesis. It shows some features of natural bone both in main composition and hierarchical microstructure. Nano-hydroxyapatite and collagen assembled into mineralized fibril. The three-dimensional porous scaffold materials mimic the microstructure of cancellous bone. Cell culture and animal model tests showed that the composite material is bioactive. The osteoblasts were separated from the neonatal rat calvaria. Osteoblasts adhered, spread, and proliferated throughout the pores of the scaffold material within a week. A 15-mm segmental defect model in the radius of the rabbit was used to evaluate the bone-remodeling ability of the composite. Combined with 0.5 mg rhBMP-2, the material block was implanted into the defect. The segmental defect was integrated 12 weeks after surgery, and the implanted composite was partially substituted by new bone tissue. This scaffold composite has promise for the clinical repair of large bony defects according to the principles of bone tissue engineering.     

Accelerated bonelike apatite growth on porous polymer/ceramic composite scaffolds in vitro

Although biodegradable polymer/ceramic composite scaffolds can overcome the limitations of conventional ceramic bone substitutes, the osteogenic potential of these scaffolds needs to be further enhanced for efficient bone tissue engineering. In this study, bonelike apatite was efficiently coated onto the scaffold surface by using polymer/ceramic composite scaffolds instead of polymer scaffolds and by using an accelerated biomimetic process to enhance the osteogenic potential of the scaffold. The creation of bonelike, apatite-coated polymer scaffold was achieved by incubating the scaffolds in simulated body fluid (SBF). The apatite growth on porous poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid)/nanohydroxyapatite (PLGA/ HA) composite scaffolds was significantly faster than on porous PLGA scaffolds. In addition, the distribution of coated apatite was more uniform on PLGA/HA scaffolds than on PLGA scaffolds. After a 5-day incubation period, the mass of apatite coated onto PLGA/HA scaffolds incubated in 5 x SBF was 2.3-fold higher than PLGA/HA scaffolds incubated in 1 x SBF. Furthermore, when the scaffolds were incubated in 5 x SBF for 5 days, the mass of apatite coated onto PLGA/HA scaffolds was 4.5-fold higher than PLGA scaffolds. These results indicate that the biomimetic apatite coating can be accelerated by using a polymer/ceramic composite scaffold and concentrated SBF. When seeded with osteoblasts, the apatite-coated PLGA/HA scaffolds exhibited significantly higher cell growth, alkaline phosphatase activity, and mineralization in vitro compared to the apatite-coated PLGA scaffolds. Therefore, the apatite-coated PLGA/HA scaffolds may provide enhanced osteogenic potential when used as scaffold for bone tissue engineering.     

Solvent-free polymer/bioceramic scaffolds for bone tissue engineering: fabrication,analysis, and cell growth

This study examines the potential use of porous polycaprolactone (PCL) and polycaprolocatone/hydroxyapatite (PCL/HA) scaffolds fabricated through melt molding and porogen leaching for bone tissue engineering. While eliminating organic solvents is desirable, the process steps proposed in this study for uniformly dispersing HA particles (~5?μm in size) within the scaffold can also contribute to homogeneous properties for these porous composites. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was chosen as a porogen due to its similar density and melting point as PCL. Pore size of the scaffold was controlled by limiting the size of PCL and PEO particles used in fabrication. The percent of HA in the fabricated scaffolds was quantified by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Mechanical testing was used to compare the modulus of the scaffolds to that of bone, and the pore size distribution was examined with microcomputed tomography (μCT). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the effect on scaffold morphology caused by the addition of HA particles. Both μCT and SEM results showed that HA could be incorporated into PCL scaffolds without negatively affecting scaffold morphology or pore formation. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and elemental mapping demonstrated a uniform distribution of HA within PCL/HA scaffolds. Murine calvaria-derived MC3T3-E1 cells were used to determine whether cells could attach on scaffolds and grow for up to 21 days. SEM images revealed an increase in cell attachment with the incorporation of HA into the scaffolds. Similarly, DNA content analysis showed a higher cell adhesion to PCL/HA scaffolds.     

Preparation,in vitro degradability,cytotoxicity, and in vivo biocompatibility of porous hydroxyapatite whisker-reinforced poly(L-lactide) biocomposite scaffolds

Biodegradable and bioactive scaffolds with interconnected macroporous structures, suitable biodegradability, adequate mechanical property, and excellent biocompatibility have drawn increasing attention in bone tissue engineering. Hence, in this work, porous hydroxyapatite whisker-reinforced poly(L-lactide) (HA-w/PLLA) composite scaffolds with different ratios of HA and PLLA were successfully developed through compression molding and particle leaching. The microstructure, in vitro mineralization, cytocompatibility, hemocompatibility, and in vivo biocompatibility of the porous HA-w/PLLA were investigated for the first time. The SEM results revealed that these HA-w/PLLA scaffolds possessed interconnected pore structures. Compared with porous HA powder-reinforced PLLA (HA-p/PLLA) scaffolds, HA-w/PLLA scaffolds exhibited better mechanical property and in vitro bioactivity, as more formation of bone-like apatite layers were induced on these scaffolds after mineralization in SBF. Importantly, in vitro cytotoxicity displayed that porous HA-w/PLLA scaffold with HA/PLLA ratio of 1:1 (HA-w₁/PLLA₁) produced no deleterious effect on human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), and cells performed elevated cell proliferation, indicating a good cytocompatibility. Simultaneously, well-behaved hemocompatibility and favorable in vivo biocompatibility determined from acute toxicity test and histological evaluation were also found in the porous HA-w₁/PLLA₁ scaffold. These findings may provide new prospects for utilizing the porous HA whisker-based biodegradable scaffolds in bone repair, replacement, and augmentation applications.     

HA/TCP compounding of a porous CaP biomaterial improves bone formation and scaffold degradation--a long-term histological study

In the present study, two biphasic calcium phosphate biomaterials (BCP) with HA/TCP ratios of 50/50 and 30/70 were obtained from a pure HA biomaterial. The biomaterials which showed the same three-dimensional geometry were implanted into corticocancellous costal defects of sheep. In the specimens of all three biomaterials, abundant bone formation, mineral dissolution from the biomaterial scaffolds, and active cellular resorption of the scaffolds was present after 6 and 12 months. Backscattered electron microscopy showed bone invasion into the pores of the scaffolds and micromechanical interlocking at the bone/biomaterial interface without intervening soft tissue. The pattern of bone formation and scaffold resorption was different for cortical and cancellous bone. No time-based effect, however, was observed. Overall, the BCP biomaterials had formed significantly more bone than the HA biomaterial. Also, scaffold resorption, which was followed by a replacement with newly formed bone, was significantly higher in the BCP biomaterials. Although no significant differences were observed between both BCP biomaterials, the present study had confirmed the assumption that HA/TCP compounding was suitable to improve bone formation and scaffold resorption in the investigated biomaterials and at the same time maintain the osteoconductive properties of the scaffolds.