Biocompatibility and biodegradation studies of PCL/β-TCP bone tissue scaffold fabricated by structural porogen method.
Three-dimensional printer (3DP) (Z-Corp) is a solid freeform fabrication system capable of generating sub-millimeter physical features required for tissue engineering scaffolds. By using plaster composite materials, 3DP can fabricate a universal porogen which can be injected with a wide range of high melting temperature biomaterials. Here we report results toward the manufacture of either pure polycaprolactone (PCL) or homogeneous composites of 90/10 or 80/20 (w/w) PCL/beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) by injection molding into plaster composite porogens fabricated by 3DP. The resolution of printed plaster porogens and produced scaffolds was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Cytotoxicity test on scaffold extracts and biocompatibility test on the scaffolds as a matrix supporting murine osteoblast (7F2) and endothelial hybridoma (EAhy 926) cells growth for up to 4 days showed that the porogens removal process had only negligible effects on cell proliferation. The biodegradation tests of pure PCL and PCL/β-TCP composites were performed in DMEM with 10 % (v/v) FBS for up to 6 weeks. The PCL/β-TCP composites show faster degradation rate than that of pure PCL due to the addition of β-TCP, and the strength of 80/20 PCL/β-TCP composite is still suitable for human cancellous bone healing support after 6 weeks degradation. Combining precisely controlled porogen fabrication structure, good biocompatibility, and suitable mechanical properties after biodegradation, PCL/β-TCP scaffolds fabricated by 3DP porogen method provide essential capability for bone tissue engineering.
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Lin
L
Lu
Qingwei
Q
Zhang
David
D
Wootton
Richard
R
Chiou
Dichen
D
Li
Bingheng
B
Lu
Peter
P
Lelkes
Jack
J
Zhou
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011091:Polyesters / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D011091:Polyesters; C485817:beta-tricalcium phosphate; C016240:polycaprolactone