3D Bioplotter Research Papers

Silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite (SiHA) macroporous scaffolds have been prepared by robocasting. In order to optimize their bone regeneration properties, we have manufactured these scaffolds presenting different microstructures: nanocrystalline and crystalline. Moreover, their surfaces have been decorated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to evaluate the potential coupling between vascularization and bone regeneration. In vitro cell culture tests evidence that nanocrystalline SiHA hinders pre-osteblast proliferation, whereas the presence of VEGF enhances the biological functions of both endothelial cells and pre-osteoblasts. The bone regeneration capability has been evaluated using an osteoporotic sheep model. In vivo observations strongly correlate with in vitro cell culture…

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are polypeptides that control the proliferation and differentiation of various cell types including osteoblasts. FGFs are also strong inducers of angiogenesis, necessary to obtain oxygen and nutrients during tissue repair. With the aim to incorporate these desirable FGF biological properties into bioceramics for bone repair, silicon substituted hydroxyapatites (Si-HA) were used as materials to immobilize bioactive FGF-1 and FGF-2. Thus, the binding of these growth factors to powdered Si-HA and Si-HA scaffolds was carried out efficiently in the present study and both FGFs maintained its biological activity on osteoblasts after its immobilization. The improvement of cell…