3D Printed Engineered Nano-Composite Templates for Bone Regeneration

Det overordnemålet med “3DPRENT?-prosjektet er å fremme translasjon av 3D-printeteknologien for beinregenerasjon. Tredimensjonal (3D) bioprinting blir sett på som en potensiell ny løsning for å lage personlige benlignede konstruksjoner. Imidlertid er mangel på det ideelle bioblekket et betydelig problem i 3D-bioprinting, siden det er ulike krav knyttet til cellefunksjon og printbarhet av bioblekkene. Vevsspesifikke hydrogeler laget av forskjellige formuleringer av naturlige polymerere er utviklet av teamet. De utviklede biomateriale blekkene har blitt karakterisert for sine materialegenskaper når det gjelder reologi, stabilitet og printbarhet. Biologisk karakterisering sammensatt av 3D-bioprinting-pilot, der humane benmargsavledede mesenchymale stamceller ble bioprintet i ett bioblekk for å optimalisere tverrbindingsforholdene når det gjelder cellelevedyktighet og spredning. Cytotoksisiteten til materialene og biotrykkprosessen ble evaluert. Videre ble frysetørkede porøse stillaser preparert ved bruk av nanohydroksyapatitt (nHA) og treavledede cellulosenanofibriller (CNF). Resultatene antyder at 20 % nHA-stillas har det største potensialet for videre biomimetiske benvevstekniske undersøkelser.

Recent clinical studies performed by our group and other clinical partners in Europe, propose alternatives to conventional treatment modalities by using the concept of tissue engineering in which engineered biomaterials (scaffolds) are used to deliver mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and/or growth factors. Although there have been some successes, bone tissue engineering needs to overcome several challenges to meet clinical and commercialization needs. Among these challenges, the limitations of scaffolding biomaterials to mimic the macro to nanoscale structures of native tissues. Current bone scaffolds suffer from impaired cellular responses, inadequate delivery of growth factors, insufficient mechanical strength and incorrect design. The significance of the current project lies on combining nanotechnology and 3D printing technology. The synergetic impact of such integrated technologies has a potential to advance the field of bone tissue engineering by developing biomimetic multiscale multifunctional scaffolds for enhanced cell response and growth factor delivery. In 3DPRENT, oxidized cellulose nanofibers (CNF)-based hydrogel will be functionalized with nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) for osteoconductivity, nanodiamond particles (nDP) to deliver vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and finally to bioprint mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). For mechanical stability and vascularization, hydrogel layers will be reinforced with 3D printed microchannel network of a thermoplastic polymer modified with (nHA). The bioengineered constructs will be fabricated based on computational model-informed design, cultured in a dynamic in vitro conditions and finally validated in relevant pre-clinical animal models. 3DPRENT will develop not only outstanding basic scientific knowledge but also sustainable solutions and innovations based on nanotechnology, 3D printing and stem cells thus improving health and promoting new medical technology to meet the needs of society.