Recent Developments of Functional Scaffolds for Craniomaxillofacial Bone Tissue Engineering Applications

Abstract

Autogenous bone grafting remains a gold standard for the reconstruction critical-sized bone defects in the craniomaxillofacial region. Nevertheless, this graft procedure has several disadvantages such as restricted availability, donor-site morbidity, and limitations in regard to fully restoring the complicated three-dimensional structures in the craniomaxillofacial bone. The ultimate goal of craniomaxillofacial bone reconstruction is the regeneration of the physiological bone that simultaneously fulfills both morphological and functional restorations. Developments of tissue engineering in the last two decades have brought such a goal closer to reality. In bone tissue engineering, the scaffolds are fundamental, elemental and mesenchymal stem cells/osteoprogenitor cells and bioactive factors. A variety of scaffolds have been developed and used as spacemakers, biodegradable bone substitutes for transplanting to the new bone, matrices of drug delivery system, or supporting structures enhancing adhesion, proliferation, and matrix production of seeded cells according to the circumstances of the bone defects. However, scaffolds to be clinically completely satisfied have not been developed yet. Development of more functional scaffolds is required to be applied widely to cranio-maxillofacial bone defects. This paper reviews recent trends of scaffolds for crania-maxillofacial bone tissue engineering, including our studies.

Incorporation of osteogenic and angiogenic small interfering RNAs into chitosan sponge for bone tissue engineering

“…The growth rates of MSCs in the sponge + siCkip-1, siFlt-1, and sponge + siNC groups were not significantly different; however, both of them significantly lower than the sponge alone, indicating that the suppression may have originated from Lipofectamine and it was considered as its main drawback. 22,25,26 Colocalization observed by fluorescence microscope and quantitative data with flow cytometer assay showed high transfection efficiency in MSCs, which is in agreement with a previous report, 22 and suggests that Lipofectamine could be used to deliver two siRNAs simultaneously. These results indicate that the chitosan sponge can be used to deliver dual siRNAs in a sustainable manner.…”

“…Therefore, it may be more suitable for craniomaxillofacial defects regeneration since most of the bones here are curved and complicated. 22 In addition, chitosan sponge can be synthesized without additional reagents that could have unwanted effects. For these reasons, chitosan sponge was used as both a drug reservoir and regeneration material in our study.…”

Tissue-Engineered Bone With 3-Dimensionally Printed β-Tricalcium Phosphate and Polycaprolactone Scaffolds and Early Implantation: An In Vivo Pilot Study in a Porcine Mandible Model

“…Bone tissue engineering may reduce morbidity and produce more anatomic reconstructions compared to standard techniques 3 . Recently, bone tissue engineering research has made significant advancements, including clinical applications 4 , but the ideal scaffold has not yet been developed 5 .…”

Stem cell regenerative therapy in alveolar cleft reconstruction

“…Proper selection of scaffold material plays a critical role in potential success or failure of undertaken therapy. 159 Stem cells act as seed cells and scaffold is used as an extracellular matrix. The biological, chemical and mechanical characteristics of the scaffold should be carefully considered as they affect stem cell properties and are responsible for long-term transplant viability.…”