Silk Fibroin/Collagen/Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds Obtained by 3D Printing Technology and Loaded with Recombinant Human Erythropoietin in the Reconstruction of Alveolar Bone Defects

Abstract

The fast osteogenesis of the large alveolar fossa and the maintenance of the height of the alveolar ridge after tooth extraction have always been a clinical challenge. Therefore, this work describes the creation of innovative silk fibroin/collagen/ hydroxyapatite (SCH) biological scaffolds by 3D printing technology, which are loaded with recombinant human erythropoietin (rh-EPO) for the reconstruction of bone defects. Low-temperature 3D printing can maintain the biological activity of silk fibroin and collagen. The SCH scaffolds showed the ideal water absorption and porosity, being a sustained-release carrier of rh-EPO. The optimized scaffolds had ideal mechanical properties in vitro, and MC3T3-E1 cells could easily adhere and proliferate on it. In vivo experiments in rabbits demonstrated that the composite scaffolds gradually degraded and promoted the accumulation and proliferation of osteoblasts and the formation of collagen fibers, significantly promoting the reconstruction of mandibular defects. In this study, a novel composite biological scaffold was prepared using 3D printing technology, and the scaffold was innovatively combined with the multifunctional growth factor rh-EPO. This provides a new optimized composite material for the reconstruction of irregular mandible defects, and this biomaterial is promising for clinical reconstruction of alveolar bone defects.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Enhance 3D-Printed Scaffold Functions and Promote Alveolar Bone Defect Repair by Enhancing Angiogenesis

“…In addition to the desirable properties of bone scaffolds, a suitable scaffold for exosome-based tissue engineering should be biocompatible, mechanically supported, and capable of loading and releasing exosomes [ 40 ]. Our previous studies proved that SF/COL-I/nHA scaffolds had ideal porosity, water absorption, biocompatibility, and mechanical properties [ 10 , 11 ]. In a rabbit model, the application of SF/COL-I/nHA scaffolds promoted bone regeneration compared with the blank controls, meeting the needs of tissue-engineering scaffolds [ 11 ].…”

“…Our previous studies proved that SF/COL-I/nHA scaffolds had ideal porosity, water absorption, biocompatibility, and mechanical properties [ 10 , 11 ]. In a rabbit model, the application of SF/COL-I/nHA scaffolds promoted bone regeneration compared with the blank controls, meeting the needs of tissue-engineering scaffolds [ 11 ]. The porosity and water absorption of the SF/COL-I/nHA scaffolds makes them suitable as effective carriers of drugs and growth factors [ 11 ].…”

“…In this study, porous bioresorbable composite bone scaffolds composed of SF/COL-I/nHA were fabricated with low-temperature deposition 3D-printing technology, as previously reported [ 10 , 11 ]. Silk fibroin was mixed with collagen I and nHA at a mass ratio of 5:4:1 and stirred for 4 h. A moderate amount of acetic acid was added to aid the mixing.…”

“…Therefore, it would seem logical to create a composite scaffold including a variety of biomaterials to achieve bioactivity and structural biomimicry [ 5 ]. In our previous study, we constructed an innovative low-temperature 3D-printed silk fibroin/collagen I/nanohydroxyapatite (SF/COL-I/nHA) composite scaffold with a stable structure and remarkable biocompatibility [ 10 , 11 ]. Although many 3D-printed scaffolds with different materials have been studied, their clinical translation is limited by the insufficient vascularization of scaffolds, especially in the reconstruction of large alveolar bone defects [ 12 ].…”

Biomass-derived fiber materials for biomedical applications

“…Yao M et al prepared HA, poly (dopamine), and carboxymethyl CS composite scaffolds using 3D printing technology, which had an antiosteosarcoma effect and bone repair properties (Yao et al, 2021). Liu H et al used 3D printing technology to develop SF/hydroxyapatite/ collagen scaffolds with ideal water absorption and porosity, which could significantly promote the reconstruction of mandibular defects (Liu et al, 2022). Those 3D-printed polysaccharide/protein fiber materials possess high mechanical properties and biocompatibility, which can be widely applied in bone tissue engineering.…”