Development of 3D-printed PLGA/TiO2 nanocomposite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Porous scaffolds were 3D-printed using poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)/TiO 2 composite (10:1 weight ratio) for bone tissue engineering applications. Addition of TiO 2 nanoparticles improved the compressive modulus of scaffolds. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed an increase in both glass transition temperature and thermal decomposition onset of the composite compared to pure PLGA. Furthermore, addition of TiO 2 was found to enhance the wettability of the surface evidenced by reducing the contact angle from 90.5 ± 3.2 to 79.8 ± 2.4 which in favor of cellular attachment and activity. The obtained results revealed that PLGA/TiO 2 scaffolds significantly improved osteoblast proliferation compared to pure PLGA (P < 0.05). Furthermore, osteoblasts cultured on PLGA/TiO 2 nanocomposite represented significantly higher ALP activity and improved calcium secretion compared to pure PLGA scaffolds (p < 0.05).

Insights into Theranostic Properties of Titanium Dioxide for Nanomedicine

“…The morphology of TiO 2 nanomaterials (i.e., nanotubes) is, nevertheless, the most important factor in improving cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation [35,36]. A scaffold composed of polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and TiO 2 nanoparticles as well as decorated glass with TiO 2 nanoparticles can improve the amount of precipitated calcium for bone regeneration compared to the scaffold without TiO 2 nanoparticles [206,207]. The adhesion and spreading of osteoblast cells with a complete integration can also be attained with composites made of polylactic acid (PLA), poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL), and TiO 2 particles or nanofiber meshes mimicking the bone regeneration properties [37,38].…”

Advances in Biodegradable 3D Printed Scaffolds with Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Bone Regeneration

“…In the case of polymers added to the matrix, there are two different paths: co-polymers, formed by two or more monomeric species, and polymer–polymer blends, which involve a mixture of two polymers [ 27 ]. Among the co-polymers used in bone tissue engineering, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) [ 58 , 59 ] and poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) [ 60 , 61 ] are the most commonly used. Conversely, in the field of polymer blends, many studies are found on gelatin-polyvinyl pyrrolidone [ 62 ], gelatin-poly(lactide acid) [ 63 ], cellulose acetate-polycaprolactone [ 64 ], polyurethane/poly(lactic acid) [ 65 ], poly(lactide acid)/polycaprolactone [ 66 , 67 ], etc.…”

Targeted nanomedicines for the treatment of bone disease and regeneration

“…Moreover, it was reported that TiO 2 on the three‐dimensional (3D) printed PLGA/TiO 2 construct could improve the ALP activity as well as HA formation of the osteoblast cells cultured on the nanocomposite for bone tissue regeneration. This could be due to the electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged Ti–OH and the Ca 2+ ion, which could trigger phosphate ions on the positively charged surface 252 …”