Novel self-assembly-induced 3D plotting for macro/nano-porous collagen scaffolds comprised of nanofibrous collagen filaments

• Published in: Materials letters 2015-03, Vol.143, p.265-268
• Main Authors: Shin, Kwan-Ha, Kim, Jong-Woo, Koh, Young-Hag, Kim, Hyoun-Ee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomaterials; Biomimetic; Collagens; Deposition; Filaments; Microstructure; Nanostructure; Plotting; Polymers; Porosity; Porous materials; Scaffolds; Self assembly; Three dimensional
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2014.12.119

This study proposes self-assembly-induced 3D plotting as an innovative solid freeform fabrication (SFF) technique for the production of macro/nano-porous collagen scaffolds, particularly comprised of nanofibrous collagen filaments. In this technique, collagen filaments deposited in a coagulation bath could be effectively gelled through the self-assembly of collagen molecules into fibrils, accordingly, enabling the 3-dimensional deposition of collagen filaments with a collagen nanofiber network. The unique macro/nano-structure could be structurally stabilized by dehydration process coupled with chemical cross-linking. The porous collagen scaffolds produced had 3-dimensionally interconnected macropores (~ 451×305μm in pore width) separated by nanoprous collagen filaments. In addition, the macro/nano-porous collagen scaffolds showed the tensile strength of~353kPa and compressive strength of~31kPa at a porosity of~95vol% and excellent in vitro biocompatibility, assessed using pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. •Self-assembly-induced 3D plotting was developed as an innovative SFF technique•Collagen scaffolds with a unique macro/nano-porous structure were produced.•Nanofibrous collagen filaments could be created through self-assembly of collagen.•The scaffolds had reasonable mechanical properties and excellent biocompatibility.