Three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies open up new perspectives for customizing the external shape and internal architecture of bone scaffolds. In this study, an oligopeptide (SSVPT, Ser-Ser-Val-Pro-Thr) derived from bone morphogenetic protein 2 was conjugated with a dopamine coating on a 3D-printed poly(lactic acid) (PLA) scaffold to enhance osteogenesis. Cell experiments in vitro showed that the scaffold was highly osteoconductive to the adhesion and proliferation of rat marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In addition, RT-PCR analysis showed that the scaffold was able to promote the expression of osteogenesis-related genes, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin (OCN) and osteopontin (OPN). Images of the micro-CT 3D reconstruction from the rat cranial bone defect model showed that bone regeneration patterns occurred from one side edge towards the center of the area implanted with the prepared biomimetic peptide hydrogels, demonstrating significantly accelerated bone regeneration. This work will provide a basis to explore the application potential of bioactive scaffolds further.

Although having advantages such as good mechanical property and rapid curing, the poor absorption and biological activity of hydroxyapatite (HA)/poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement limits its clinical application. Therefore, it is of vital importance to improve the integration and the biological activity of HA/PMMA bone cement. In this study, spherical and rod-like HA/PMMA bone cement with different content of P(MMA-co-MPS) were chosen to enhance its interface bioactivity. The content of P(MMA-co-MPS) on the surface of HA was 12, 30, 15, and 28%, respectively, corresponding to 0.3 r-HA, 1.5 r-HA, 0.3 s-HA, and 1.5 s-HA, whose calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca/P) ratios were 1.62, 1.5, 1.65, and 1.53, respectively, and were confirmed by energy dispersive spectroscopy. From scanning electron microscope, we found that the spherical HA (s-HA) promotes the biomineralization on the surface of PMMA than rod-like HA (r-HA). In addition, cell experiments in vitro showed that s-HA/PMMA with lower modification degree (0.3) of P(MMA-co-MPS) results in more cell adhesion and more evenly distributed on surface spreading while observed under laser confocal microscope. Meanwhile, in vitro, cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity indicated that s-HA/PMMA bone cement promotes early osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs in a deeper extent than r-HA/PMMA, demonstrating that 0.3 s-HA/PMMA provides a favorable theoretical basis for the further clinical application of HA/PMMA bone cement as an optimized bone repair material.