A 3D-Printed Assemblable Bespoke Scaffold as a Versatile Microcryogel Carrier for Site-Specific Regenerative Medicine

Seunghun S. Lee, Nicole Kleger, Gisela A. Kuhn, Helen Greutert, Xiaoyu Du, Thijs Smit, André R. Studart, Stephen J. Ferguson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Advances in additive manufacturing have led to diverse patient-specific implant designs utilizing computed tomography, but this requires intensive work and financial implications. Here, Digital Light Processing is used to fabricate a hive-structured assemblable bespoke scaffold (HIVE). HIVE can be manually assembled in any shape/size with ease, so a surgeon can create a scaffold that will best fit a defect before implantation. Simultaneously, it can have site-specific treatments by working as a carrier filled with microcryogels (MC) incorporating different biological factors in different pockets of HIVE. After characterization, possible site-specific applications are investigated by utilizing HIVE as a versatile carrier with incorporated treatments such as growth factors (GF), bioceramic, or cells. HIVE as a GF-carrier shows a controlled release of bone morphogenetic protein/vascular endothelial growth factor (BMP/VEGF) and induced osteogenesis/angiogenesis from human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC)/human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Furthermore, as a bioceramic-carrier, HIVE demonstrates enhanced mineralization and osteogenesis, and as a HUVEC carrier, it upregulates both osteogenic and angiogenic gene expression of hMSCs. HIVE with different combinations of MCs yields a distinct local effect and successful cell migration is confirmed within assembled HIVEs. Finally, an in vivo rat subcutaneous implantation demonstrates site-specific osteogenesis and angiogenesis.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2302008
JournalAdvanced Materials
Volume35
Issue number44
DOIs
StatePublished - 2 Nov 2023

Keywords

  • 3D printing
  • assemblies
  • patient-specific
  • scaffolds
  • tissue engineering

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