TY - JOUR

T1 - Polycaprolactone-Based 3D-Printed Scaffolds as Potential Implant Materials for Tendon-Defect Repair

AU - Kempfert, Merle

AU - Willbold, Elmar

AU - Loewner, Sebastian

AU - Blume, Cornelia

AU - Pitts, Johannes

AU - Menzel, Henning

AU - Roger, Yvonne

AU - Hoffmann, Andrea

AU - Angrisani, Nina

AU - Reifenrath, Janin

N1 - Funding Information: This research was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) as part of the research group, FOR 2180 “Graded implants” (DFG, WE 4262/6-2: 251503496, HO 2058/15-2: 269986331).

PY - 2022/12

Y1 - 2022/12

N2 - Chronic tendon ruptures are common disorders in orthopedics. The conventional surgical methods used to treat them often require the support of implants. Due to the non-availability of suitable materials, 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds were designed from two different starting materials as suitable candidates for tendon-implant applications. For the characterization, mechanical testing was performed. To increase their biocompatibility, the PCL-scaffolds were plasma-treated and coated with fibronectin and collagen I. Cytocompatibility testing was performed using L929 mouse fibroblasts and human-bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The mechanical testing showed that the design adaptions enhanced the mechanical stability. Cell attachment was increased in the plasma-treated specimens compared to the control specimens, although not significantly, in the viability tests. Coating with fibronectin significantly increased the cellular viability compared to the untreated controls. Collagen I treatment showed an increasing trend. The desired cell alignment and spread between the pores of the construct was most prominent on the collagen-I-coated specimens. In conclusion, 3D-printed scaffolds are possible candidates for the development of tendon implants. Enhanced cytocompatibility was achieved through surface modifications. Although adaptions in mechanical strength still require alterations in order to be applied to human-tendon ruptures, we are optimistic that a suitable implant can be designed.

AB - Chronic tendon ruptures are common disorders in orthopedics. The conventional surgical methods used to treat them often require the support of implants. Due to the non-availability of suitable materials, 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds were designed from two different starting materials as suitable candidates for tendon-implant applications. For the characterization, mechanical testing was performed. To increase their biocompatibility, the PCL-scaffolds were plasma-treated and coated with fibronectin and collagen I. Cytocompatibility testing was performed using L929 mouse fibroblasts and human-bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The mechanical testing showed that the design adaptions enhanced the mechanical stability. Cell attachment was increased in the plasma-treated specimens compared to the control specimens, although not significantly, in the viability tests. Coating with fibronectin significantly increased the cellular viability compared to the untreated controls. Collagen I treatment showed an increasing trend. The desired cell alignment and spread between the pores of the construct was most prominent on the collagen-I-coated specimens. In conclusion, 3D-printed scaffolds are possible candidates for the development of tendon implants. Enhanced cytocompatibility was achieved through surface modifications. Although adaptions in mechanical strength still require alterations in order to be applied to human-tendon ruptures, we are optimistic that a suitable implant can be designed.

KW - cytocompatibility

KW - defect repair

KW - degradable

KW - printing

KW - surface modification

KW - tendon graft

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85143591175&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.3390/jfb13040160

DO - 10.3390/jfb13040160

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85143591175

VL - 13

JO - Journal of Functional Biomaterials

JF - Journal of Functional Biomaterials

IS - 4

M1 - 160

ER -