Furtado André S A, Cunha Manuel H S, Sousa Luciana M R, Brito Guilherme C, Verde Thiago F C L, Filgueiras Livia Alves, Sobral-Silva Leonardo A, Santana Moisés V, Sousa Gustavo F, Santos Francisco E P, Mendes Anderson N, Figueredo-Silva José, Maia Filho Antônio L M, Marciano Fernanda R, Vasconcellos Luana M R, Lobo Anderson O
Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Advanced Materials (LIMAV), Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Program (PPGCM), Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Teresina, PI, Brazil.
Laboratory of Innovation in Science and Technology, Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brazil.
Int J Nanomedicine. 2025 Jan 4;20:53-69. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S497539. eCollection 2025.
The 3D printing of macro- and mesoporous biomimetic grafts composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) infused with nanosized synthetic smectic clay is a promising innovation in biomaterials for bone tissue engineering (BTE). The main challenge lies in achieving a uniform distribution of nanoceramics across low to high concentrations within the polymer matrix while preserving mechanical properties and biological performance essential for successful osseointegration.
This study utilized 3D printing to fabricate PCL scaffolds enriched with nanosized synthetic smectic clay (LAP) to evaluate its effects on structural, chemical, thermal, mechanical, and degradative properties, with a focus on in vitro biological performance and non-toxicity. Scaffolds were created with varying proportions of PCL and LAP. Comprehensive characterization included scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), mechanical testing, swelling analysis, and degradation studies. Biological performance was assessed through MTT assays (cell viability), alkaline phosphatase activity, histological analysis, and Raman spectroscopy, highlighting the scaffolds' biocompatibility and potential applications in regenerative medicine.
The developed inks demonstrated excellent injectability, and the 3D-printed PCL/LAP scaffolds exhibited a microporous and rough structure, good structural fidelity, low degradability, thermal stability, and sufficient mechanical strength across all formulations. Intrinsic properties of the scaffolds revealed no cytotoxicity while enhancing bioactivity and promoting in vitro mineralization when cultured with mesenchymal stem cells in all analyzed groups. Notably, the high concentration of LAP within the PCL matrices did not induce in vitro cytotoxicity but rather stimulated in vitro mineralization and differentiation.
This study demonstrated the feasibility of 3D printing PCL/LAP scaffolds with high concentrations of nanoceramics. Both in vitro and in vivo assays validated the regenerative potential of these scaffolds, emphasizing their efficacy as a promising approach for developing advanced biomimetic grafts.
由聚己内酯（PCL）注入纳米尺寸的合成蒙脱石组成的大孔和中孔仿生移植物的3D打印是骨组织工程（BTE）生物材料领域一项很有前景的创新。主要挑战在于在聚合物基质中实现纳米陶瓷在低至高浓度范围内的均匀分布，同时保持成功骨整合所必需的机械性能和生物学性能。
本研究利用3D打印制造富含纳米尺寸合成蒙脱石（LAP）的PCL支架，以评估其对结构、化学、热、机械和降解性能的影响，重点关注体外生物学性能和无毒性。使用不同比例的PCL和LAP创建支架。综合表征包括扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、X射线衍射（XRD）、热重分析（TGA）、傅里叶变换红外光谱（FTIR）、力学测试、溶胀分析和降解研究。通过MTT测定（细胞活力）、碱性磷酸酶活性、组织学分析和拉曼光谱评估生物学性能，突出了支架的生物相容性及其在再生医学中的潜在应用。
所开发的墨水表现出优异的可注射性，3D打印的PCL/LAP支架呈现出微孔且粗糙的结构、良好的结构保真度、低降解性、热稳定性，并且在所有配方中均具有足够的机械强度。支架的固有特性显示无细胞毒性，同时在所有分析组中与间充质干细胞一起培养时可增强生物活性并促进体外矿化。值得注意的是，PCL基质中高浓度的LAP不会诱导体外细胞毒性，反而会刺激体外矿化和分化。
本研究证明了3D打印高浓度纳米陶瓷PCL/LAP支架的可行性。体外和体内试验均验证了这些支架的再生潜力，强调了它们作为开发先进仿生移植物的一种有前景方法的有效性。
