3D BIO-PRINTED SCAFFOLDS FOR TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATION: AN INVIVO EVALUATION WITH FURTHER OPTIMIZATION

The unique semi-lunar wedge-shape, composition and micro-architecture of knee menisci make it ideal for dynamic load bearing and shock distribution. Current treatments for complex meniscal injuries fail to restore joint biomechanics, leading to an accelerated onset of osteoarthritis which is chronic, debilitating, and painful. In this study, a tissue engineered meniscus scaffold was tested in vivo in a minipig meniscectomy model. Six-month outcomes showed reduced articular cartilage damage compared to the meniscectomy group and the formation of neo-meniscal tissue, especially in subjects where the scaffold was seeded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. No significant foreign body reaction was found. Scaffold extrusion and flattening was noticed in some subjects. Combining the scaffold with a Poly(ethylene) Glycol – Fibrinogen (PF) Hydrogel preliminarily improved bioactivity and catalysed cell differentiation. Likewise, co-blending the polycaprolactone scaffold with Poly(lactic acid-co-ɛ-caprolactone) which would theoretically improve mechanical properties of the scaffold preliminarily supported cell proliferation and differentiation.

Author dc:creator

• BRYAN KOH THEAN HOWE

• in vivo
• polycaprolactone
• hydrogel
• tissue engineering
• meniscus