Hybrid scaffolds for bone tissue engineering: Integration of composites and bioactive hydrogels loaded with hDPSCs

• Published in: Biomaterials advances 2025-01, Vol.166, p.214042, Article 214042
• Main Authors: Sousa, Ana Catarina, Alvites, Rui, Lopes, Bruna, Sousa, Patrícia, Moreira, Alícia, Coelho, André, Rêma, Alexandra, Biscaia, Sara, Cordeiro, Rachel, Faria, Fátima, da Silva, Gabriela Fernandes, Amorim, Irina, Santos, José Domingos, Atayde, Luís, Alves, Nuno, Domingos, Marco, Maurício, Ana Colette
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alginate; Alginates - chemistry; Animals; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biocompatible Materials - pharmacology; Bioink; Bone and Bones - drug effects; Bone regeneration; Bone Regeneration - drug effects; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; Cell Survival - drug effects; Collagen; Dental Pulp - cytology; Durapatite - chemistry; Durapatite - pharmacology; Human dental pulp stem/stromal cells; Humans; Hybrid scaffold; Hydrogels - chemistry; Hydroxyapatite; Osteogenesis - drug effects; Polyesters - chemistry; Rat model; Rats; Stem Cells - drug effects; Stromal Cells; Tissue Engineering - methods; Tissue Scaffolds - chemistry
• ISSN: 2772-9508; 2772-9508
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.214042

Bone tissue regeneration remains a significant challenge in clinical settings due to the complexity of replicating the mechanical and biological properties of bone environment. This study addresses this challenge by proposing a hybrid scaffold designed to enhance both bioactivity and physical stability for bone tissue regeneration. This research is the fisrt to develop a rigid 3D structure composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHA) integrated with a bioink containing human dental pulp stem/stromal cells (hDPSCs), alginate, nHA and collagen (Col). The biofabricated constructs were extensively characterized through cytocompatibility tests, osteogenic differentiation assessment, and biocompatibility evaluation in a rat model. In vitro results demontrated that the hybrid scaffolds presented significantly higher cell viability after 168 h compared to the control group. Furthermore, the hybrid scaffolds showed increased osteogenic differentiation relative to other groups. In vivo evaluation indicated good biocompatibility, characterized by minimal inflammatory response and successful tissue integration. These findings highlight the scaffold's potential to support bone tissue regeneration by combining the mechanical strength of PCL and nHA with the biological activity of the alginate-nHA-Col and hDPSCs bioink. The current study provides a promising foundation for the development of biomaterials aimed at improving clinical outcomes in bone repair and regeneration, particulary for the treatment of critical-size bone defects, targeted drug administration, and three-dimensional models for bone tissue engineering. •Bone tissue regeneration remains a significant challenge in clinical settings.•This study proposes a hybrid scaffold designed to enhance both bioactivity and physical stability for bone tissue regeneration.•Rigid 3D structure composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHA) integrated with a bioink containing human dental pulp stem/stromal cells (hDPSCs), alginate, nHA and collagen (Col) is produced.•In vitro results demonstrated that the hybrid scaffolds presented significantly higher cell viability.•In vivo evaluation indicated good biocompatibility, characterized by minimal inflammatory response and successful tissue integration.