Polymers and Biocomposites Application in Bone Tissue Engineering

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 7159

Special Issue Editors

1. Graduate Program of Biomedical Sciences, University Center of Herminio Ometto Foundation (FHO), Araras, Sao Paulo, Brazil
2. Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Interests: scaffolds; stem cells; osteoblasts; bone formation; electro stimulation; in vivo and in vitro models
Department of Mechanical, Aerospace & Civil Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Interests: biomaterials; additive manufacturing; tissue engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical Aerospace and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Interests: additive manufacturing; biomaterials; tissue engineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to invite you to contribute to this special issue on “Polymers and Biocomposites in Bone Tissue Engineering” in Polymers.

Bone tissue engineering is a key strategy to regenerate bone by the combination of a variety of biomaterials and cells. This approach has been widely investigated for the development of implantable bone substitutes for critical sized skeletal defects that cannot heal on their own. These defects can arise from trauma, but tissue engineering strategies are also a promising alternative for treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis, bone cancer, and osteoarthritis. Developments in advanced polymers, bioceramics and bioglasses, and biocomposites coupled with innovations in manufacturing processes such as 3D bioprinting and electrospinning has the potential to enable a paradigm shift in the treatment of bone defects. Natural bone tissue is a complex and hierarchical composite primarily of collagen, hydroxyapatite, and cells. The design of cell-instructive biomaterials and scaffolds that can mimic the native architecture of bone and guide cell behaviour is crucial. Thus, the investigation and optimisation of scaffold and biomaterial properties such as morphology (macro-, micro-, and nanoscale), biomechanics, degradation, and biocompatibility (e.g., cell attachment, differentiation, and viability) is vital. As the development of a suitable tissue construct that promotes implant-host integration (e.g., tissue and vasculature formation) or can be used as a interrogable disease model depends on appropriate biomaterial design and selection.

The aim of this special issue is to highlight and bring together emerging trends in both fundamental and applied research in biomaterials for bone tissue engineering applications. This will include developments in novel bioceramics and bioglasses, polymers (e.g. thermoplastics, hydrogels, and bioinks), and biocomposites. Furthermore, advancements in functionality such as cell-instructive hydrogels, drug or biomolecule delivery, electroactive and piezoelectric materials, and multiscale scaffolds will be featured. This special issue will cover full original research papers, communications, and state of the reviews in all aspects of biomaterials for bone tissue engineering.

Dr. Guilherme Ferreira Caetano
Dr. Cian Vyas
Dr. Boyang Huang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • polymers
  • biocomposites
  • ceramics
  • bioglass
  • hydrogels
  • bioinks
  • scaffolds
  • stem cells
  • osteoblasts
  • osteoinduction
  • bone formation

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2252 KiB  
Article
Early In Vivo Osteogenic and Inflammatory Response of 3D Printed Polycaprolactone/Carbon Nanotube/Hydroxyapatite/Tricalcium Phosphate Composite Scaffolds
by Paulo Roberto Lopes Nalesso, Matheus Vedovatto, Julia Eduarda Schneider Gregório, Boyang Huang, Cian Vyas, Milton Santamaria-Jr, Paulo Bártolo and Guilherme Ferreira Caetano
Polymers 2023, 15(13), 2952; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15132952 - 05 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1243
Abstract
The development of advanced biomaterials and manufacturing processes to fabricate biologically and mechanically appropriate scaffolds for bone tissue is a significant challenge. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biocompatible and degradable polymer used in bone tissue engineering, but it lacks biofunctionalization. Bioceramics, such as hydroxyapatite [...] Read more.
The development of advanced biomaterials and manufacturing processes to fabricate biologically and mechanically appropriate scaffolds for bone tissue is a significant challenge. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biocompatible and degradable polymer used in bone tissue engineering, but it lacks biofunctionalization. Bioceramics, such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and β tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), which are similar chemically to native bone, can facilitate both osteointegration and osteoinduction whilst improving the biomechanics of a scaffold. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) display exceptional electrical conductivity and mechanical properties. A major limitation is the understanding of how PCL-based scaffolds containing HA, TCP, and CNTs behave in vivo in a bone regeneration model. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of three-dimensional (3D) printed PCL-based composite scaffolds containing CNTs, HA, and β-TCP during the initial osteogenic and inflammatory response phase in a critical bone defect rat model. Gene expression related to early osteogenesis, the inflammatory phase, and tissue formation was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Tissue formation and mineralization were assessed by histomorphometry. The CNT+HA/TCP group presented higher expression of osteogenic genes after seven days. The CNT+HA and CNT+TCP groups stimulated higher gene expression for tissue formation and mineralization, and pro- and anti-inflammatory genes after 14 and 30 days. Moreover, the CNT+TCP and CNT+HA/TCP groups showed higher gene expressions related to M1 macrophages. The association of CNTs with ceramics at 10wt% (CNT+HA/TCP) showed lower expressions of inflammatory genes and higher osteogenic, presenting a positive impact and balanced cell signaling for early bone formation. The association of CNTs with both ceramics promoted a minor inflammatory response and faster bone tissue formation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers and Biocomposites Application in Bone Tissue Engineering)
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21 pages, 12075 KiB  
Article
Polysaccharides-Calcium Phosphates Composite Beads as Bone Substitutes for Fractures Repair and Regeneration
by Florina-Daniela Cojocaru, Ioannis Gardikiotis, Gianina Dodi, Aurelian Rotaru, Vera Balan, Elena Rezus and Liliana Verestiuc
Polymers 2023, 15(6), 1509; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15061509 - 17 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1067
Abstract
The tendency of population aging is continuously increasing, which is directly correlated with a significative number of associated pathologies. Several metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis or chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorders involve a high risk of fractures. Due to the specific [...] Read more.
The tendency of population aging is continuously increasing, which is directly correlated with a significative number of associated pathologies. Several metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis or chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorders involve a high risk of fractures. Due to the specific fragility, bones will not self-heal and supportive treatments are necessary. Implantable bone substitutes, a component of bone tissue engineering (BTE) strategy, proved to be an efficient solution for this issue. The aim of this study was to develop composites beads (CBs) with application in the complex field of BTE, by assembling the features of both biomaterials’ classes: biopolymers (more specific, polysaccharides: alginate and two different concentrations of guar gum/carboxymethyl guar gum) and ceramics (more specific, calcium phosphates), in a combination described for the first time in the literature. The CBs prepared by double crosslinking (ionic and physically) showed adequate physico-chemical characteristics and capabilities (morphology, chemical structure and composition, mechanical strength, and in vitro behaviour in four different acellular simulated body fluids) for bone tissue repair. Moreover, preliminary in vitro studies on cell cultures highlighted that the CBs were free of cytotoxicity and did not affect the morphology and density of cells. The results indicated that the beads based on a higher concentration of guar gum have superior properties than those with carboxymetilated guar, especially in terms of mechanical properties and behaviour in simulated body fluids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers and Biocomposites Application in Bone Tissue Engineering)
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14 pages, 3883 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of Solvent-Free PCL/β-TCP Composite Fiber for 3D Printing: Physiochemical and Biological Investigation
by Sin Ting Ngo, Wei-Fang Lee, Yi-Fan Wu, Eisner Salamanca, Lwin Moe Aung, Yan-Qiao Chao, Ting-Chia Tsao, Hao-Wen Hseuh, Yi-Huan Lee, Ching-Chiung Wang and Wei-Jen Chang
Polymers 2023, 15(6), 1391; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15061391 - 10 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1884
Abstract
Manufacturing three-dimensional (3D) objects with polymers/bioceramic composite materials has been investigated in recent years. In this study, we manufactured and evaluated solvent-free polycaprolactone (PCL) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) composite fiber as a scaffold material for 3D printing. To investigate the optimal ratio of [...] Read more.
Manufacturing three-dimensional (3D) objects with polymers/bioceramic composite materials has been investigated in recent years. In this study, we manufactured and evaluated solvent-free polycaprolactone (PCL) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) composite fiber as a scaffold material for 3D printing. To investigate the optimal ratio of feedstock material for 3D printing, the physical and biological characteristics of four different ratios of β-TCP compounds mixed with PCL were investigated. PCL/β-TCP ratios of 0 wt.%, 10 wt.%, 20 wt.%, and 30 wt.% were fabricated, with PCL melted at 65 °C and blended with β-TCP with no solvent added during the fabrication process. Electron microscopy revealed an even distribution of β-TCP in the PCL fibers, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that the biomaterial compounds remained intact after the heating and manufacturing process. In addition, adding 20% β-TCP into the PCL/β-TCP mixture significantly increased hardness and Young’s Modulus by 10% and 26.5%, respectively, suggesting that PCL-20 has better resistance to deformation under load. Cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity, osteogenic gene expression, and mineralization were also observed to increase according to the amount of β-TCP added. Cell viability and ALPase activity were 20% higher with PCL-30, while upregulation for osteoblast-related gene expression was better with PCL-20. In conclusion, PCL-20 and PCL-30 fibers fabricated without solvent exhibited excellent mechanical properties, high biocompatibility, and high osteogenic ability, making them promising materials for 3D printing customized bone scaffolds promptly, sustainably, and cost-effectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers and Biocomposites Application in Bone Tissue Engineering)
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Review

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24 pages, 7929 KiB  
Review
Application of Hydrogels as Sustained-Release Drug Carriers in Bone Defect Repair
by Yujie Feng, Weiwei Guo, Lei Hu, Xuedong Yi and Fushan Tang
Polymers 2022, 14(22), 4906; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14224906 - 14 Nov 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2398
Abstract
Large bone defects resulting from trauma, infection and tumors are usually difficult for the body’s repair mechanisms to heal spontaneously. Generally, various types of bones and orthopedic implants are adopted to enhance bone repair and regeneration in the clinic. Due to the limitations [...] Read more.
Large bone defects resulting from trauma, infection and tumors are usually difficult for the body’s repair mechanisms to heal spontaneously. Generally, various types of bones and orthopedic implants are adopted to enhance bone repair and regeneration in the clinic. Due to the limitations of traditional treatments, bone defect repair is still a compelling challenge for orthopedic surgeons. In recent years, bone tissue engineering has become a potential option for bone repair and regeneration. Amidst the various scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications, hydrogels are considered a new type of non-toxic, non-irritating and biocompatible materials, which are widely used in the biomedicine field currently. Some studies have demonstrated that hydrogels can provide a three-dimensional network structure similar to a natural extracellular matrix for tissue regeneration and can be used to transport cells, biofactors, nutrients and drugs. Therefore, hydrogels may have the potential to be multifunctional sustained-release drug carriers in the treatment of bone defects. The recent applications of different types of hydrogels in bone defect repair were briefly reviewed in this paper. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers and Biocomposites Application in Bone Tissue Engineering)
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