Tuning Cell Differentiation into a 3D Scaffold Presenting a Pore Shape Gradient for Osteochondral Regeneration.
Osteochondral regeneration remains nowadays a major problem since the outcome of current techniques is not satisfactory in terms of functional tissue formation and development. A possible solution is the combination of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) with additive manufacturing technologies to fabricate scaffolds with instructive properties. In this study, the differentiation of hMSCs within a scaffold presenting a gradient in pore shape is presented. The variation in pore shape is determined by varying the angle formed by the fibers of two consequent layers. The fiber deposition patterns are 0-90, which generate squared pores, 0-45, 0-30, and 0-15, that generate rhomboidal pores with an increasing major axis as the deposition angle decreases. Within the gradient construct, squared pores support a better chondrogenic differentiation whereas cells residing in the rhomboidal pores display a better osteogenic differentiation. When cultured under osteochondral conditions the trend in both osteogenic and chondrogenic markers is maintained. Engineering the pore shape, thus creating axial gradients in structural properties, seems to be an instructive strategy to fabricate functional 3D scaffolds that are able to influence hMSCs differentiation for osteochondral tissue regeneration.
Tissue Regeneration Department, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522, NB, Enschede, The Netherlands.
Andrea
A
Di Luca
Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, MERLN Institute for Technology Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229, ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Ivan
I
Lorenzo-Moldero
Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, MERLN Institute for Technology Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229, ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Carlos
C
Mota
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, via Muroni 25, Italy.
Antonio
A
Lepedda
AMIBM Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials, Maastricht UniversityPO Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Dietmar
D
Auhl
Tissue Regeneration Department, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522, NB, Enschede, The Netherlands.|Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, MERLN Institute for Technology Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229, ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Clemens
C
Van Blitterswijk
Tissue Regeneration Department, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522, NB, Enschede, The Netherlands.|Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, MERLN Institute for Technology Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229, ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Lorenzo
L
Moroni
D000328:Adult; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D002356:Cartilage; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010012:Osteogenesis; D016062:Porosity; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
gradients; regenerative medicine; scaffolds; stem cells