Proposal of a Novel Natural Biomaterial, the Scleral Ossicle, for the Development of Vascularized Bone Tissue In Vitro

Abstract

Recovering of significant skeletal defects could be partially abortive due to the perturbations that affect the regenerative process when defects reach a critical size, thus resulting in a non-healed bone. The current standard treatments include allografting, autografting, and other bone implant techniques. However, although they are commonly used in orthopedic surgery, these treatments have some limitations concerning their costs and their side effects such as potential infections or malunions. On this account, the need for suitable constructs to fill the gap in wide fractures is still urgent. As an innovative solution, scleral ossicles (SOs) can be put forward as natural scaffolds for bone repair. SOs are peculiar bony plates forming a ring at the scleral-corneal border of the eyeball of lower vertebrates. In the preliminary phases of the study, these ossicles were structurally and functionally characterized. The morphological characterization was performed by SEM analysis, MicroCT analysis and optical profilometry. Then, UV sterilization was carried out to obtain a clean support, without neither contaminations nor modifications of the bone architecture. Subsequently, the SO biocompatibility was tested in culture with different cell lines, focusing the attention to the differentiation capability of endothelial and osteoblastic cells on the SO surface. The results obtained by the above mentioned analysis strongly suggest that SOs can be used as bio-scaffolds for functionalization processes, useful in regenerative medicine.

Special Features of Polyester-Based Materials for Medical Applications

“…In order to introduce respective treatments, tissue is transplanted within the patient from one site to another or between two different patients. Both approaches have their drawbacks; i.e., anatomical restrictions, the risk of transferring diseases between the patients, and a possible rejection response from the patient’s immune system [ 11 ].…”

Research progress on the biological modifications of implant materials in 3D printed intervertebral fusion cages

“…Although autologous bone transplantation has obvious advantages, such as immunocompatibility, excellent bone conduction, osteoinduction and osteogenic properties, its applications are limited due to the insufficient supply of donor tissue and the risk of complications at the donor site. Similarly, the use of allografts and xenografts is limited by the immune response or infection [ 17 – 19 ]. The autologous bone grafts, allografts and xenografts in the above methods can significantly promote bone regeneration.…”

Locally Controlled Diffusive Release of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Using Micropatterned Gelatin Methacrylate Hydrogel Carriers

“…Despite the obvious advantages of immune compatibility and excellent osteoconductive, osteoinductive, and osteogenic properties, the application of bone autografting is limited by the dearth of donor tissue supply and risk of donor site complications. Similarly, the use of allografts and xenografts has been constrained by more serious problems such as immune responses or infections 10,11 . Although these treatments have significantly contributed to bone regeneration, they require complicated, appropriate, and reliable manipulations for successful bone regeneration 12 .…”