Speaker
Description
Development of patient specific composite scaffold using 3D printing for regeneration of craniofacial bone tissue
Monireh Kouhi1*, Mohammad Khodaei2, Saba Yousefi3
1. Dental Materials Research Center, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-73461, Iran,
2. Materials Engineering Group, Golpayegan College of Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Golpayegan, Isfahan 87717-67498, Iran
Traditional methods for treating bone defects resulting from disease, injury, or congenital conditions often involve autografts, allografts, or xenografts. However, these methods present drawbacks such as the risk of immune system rejection, potential for infection, and limited supply. As a result, tissue engineering approaches, specifically employing scaffolds for material replacement and stimulation of tissue growth, have become increasingly important. Many medical and research facilities are now investigating the use of additive manufacturing techniques to create customized implants for individual patients. Biopolymer-based three-dimensional (3D) printing is proving to be a valuable tool in tissue engineering, the creation of medical devices, and controlled drug release. This method enables the construction of structures that resemble natural cellular environments, which support cell attachment, growth, and ultimately, the restoration of damaged tissues and organs. Alginate and carrageenan are particularly appealing for bone tissue engineering because they are natural, biocompatible, and biodegradable polymers with minimal toxicity. They are easy to process and possess inherent qualities that promote cell adhesion and proliferation. Alginate's ability to readily form hydrogels in mild conditions with multivalent metal ions enhances its bioactivity and makes it a cost-effective and versatile material for scaffold fabrication. Carrageenan, a sulfated polysaccharide, is also biocompatible and water-soluble, forming gels at room temperature. The presence of sulfonic groups in carrageenan can facilitate bone bonding through the integration of calcium ions. Combining alginate and carrageenan with bioceramic materials creates composite scaffolds that capitalize on the beneficial properties of each component. The present research focuses on the creation of personalized 3D-printed scaffolds using a matrix of alginate/carrageenan (Al/CA) fortified with hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate nanoparticles to promote bone tissue regeneration. The findings demonstrate the effective production of interconnected, porous, and structurally sound 3D-printed Al/CA scaffolds containing various nanoparticle concentrations. The addition of nanoparticles improved the strength and stiffness of the composite scaffolds compared to the pure Al/CA scaffolds. Additionally, the scaffolds promoted apatite formation in laboratory conditions. Studies of cell behavior using MG-63 cells showed that the scaffolds were non-toxic and that the addition of HA/TCP nanoparticles enhanced their ability to promote bone formation. These results indicate that the developed scaffolds are a promising option for creating patient-specific implants for the regeneration of craniofacial hard tissues.
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