3D-printed polycaprolactone scaffolds coated with beta tricalcium phosphate for bone regeneration

J Formos Med Assoc. 2024 Jan;123(1):71-77. doi: 10.1016/j.jfma.2023.08.009. Epub 2023 Sep 14.

Abstract

Background/purpose: 3D-printing technology is an important tool for the bone tissue engineering (BTE). The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds and modified mesh PCL coated with beta TCP (PCL/β-TCP) scaffolds with MG-63.

Methods: This study used the fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique with the 3D printing technique to fabricate the thermoplastic polymer and composite scaffolds. Scaffold structure and coating quality were observed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). MG-63 cells were injected and attached to the mesh-manufactured PCL scaffolds. The biocompatibility of mesh structured PCL and PCL/β-TCP scaffolds could be examined by measuring the viability of MG-63 cells of MTT assay. Bone cell differentiation was evaluated ALP activity by mineralization assay.

Results: The results showed that both mesh PCL scaffolds and PCL/β-TCP scaffolds were non-toxic to the cells. The ALP activities of cells in PCL/β-TCP scaffolds groups were significant differences and better than PCL groups in all groups at all experimental dates. The mineralization process was time-dependent, and significantly higher mineralization of osteosarcoma cells was observed on PCL/β-TCP scaffolds at experimental dates.

Conclusion: We concluded that both meshes structured PCL and PCL/β-TCP scaffolds could promote the MG-63 cell growth, and PCL/β-TCP was better than the PCL scaffolds for the outcome of MG63 cell differentiation and mineralization.

Keywords: Beta-tricalcium phosphate; Bone tissue engineering; MG-63 cells; Mesh structured polycaprolactone scaffold; Three-dimensional printing.

MeSH terms

  • Bone Regeneration*
  • Calcium Phosphates / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Polyesters*
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional
  • Tissue Scaffolds* / chemistry

Substances

  • tricalcium phosphate
  • polycaprolactone
  • beta-tricalcium phosphate
  • Calcium Phosphates
  • Polyesters