Design and Biofunctionalization of Cloud Sponge-Inspired Scaffolds for Enhanced Bone Cell Performance

Abstract

With the increasing age of our population, which is linked to a higher incidence of musculoskeletal diseases, there is a massive clinical need for bone implants. Porous scaffolds, usually offering a lower stiffness and allowing for the ingrowth of blood vessels and nerves, serve as an attractive alternative to conventional implants. Natural porous skeletons from marine sponges represent an array of evolutionarily optimized patterns, inspiring the design of biomaterials. In this study, cloud sponge-inspired scaffolds were designed and printed from a photocurable polymer, Clear Resin. These scaffolds were biofunctionalized by mussel-derived peptide MP-RGD, a recently developed peptide that contains a cyclic, bioactive RGD cell adhesion motif and catechol moieties, which provide the anchoring of the peptide to the surface. In in vitro cell culture assays with bone cells, significantly higher biocompatibility of three scaffolds, i.e., square, octagon, and hexagon cubes, in comparison to hollow and sphere inside cubes was shown. The performance of the cells regarding signaling was further enhanced by applying an MP-RGD coating. Consequently, these data demonstrate that both the structure of the scaffold and the coating contribute to the biocompatibility of the material. Three out of five MP-RGD-coated sponge-inspired scaffolds displayed superior biochemical properties and might guide material design for improved bone implants.