Bioactive calcium silicate/poly-ε-caprolactone composite scaffolds 3D printed under mild conditions for bone tissue engineering

The present study provides a solvent-free processing method for establishing the ideal porous 3-dimension (3D) scaffold filled with different ratios of calcium silicate-based (CS) powder and polycaprolactone (PCL) for 3D bone substitute application. Characterization of hybrid scaffolds developed underwent assessments for physicochemical properties and biodegradation. Adhesion and growth of human Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) on the CS/PCL blended scaffold were investigated in vitro. Cell attachment and morphology were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and confocal microscope observations. Colorimetric assay was tested for assessing cell metabolic activity. In addition, RT-qPCR was also performed for the osteogenic-related and angiogenesis-related gene expression. As a result, the hydrophilicity of the scaffolds was further significantly improved after we additive CS into PCL, as well as the compressive strength up to 5.8 MPa. SEM showed that a great amount of precipitated bone-like apatite formed on the scaffold surface after immersed in the simulated body fluid. The 3D-printed scaffolds were found to enhance cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. Additionally, results of osteogenesis and angiogenesis proteins were expressed obviously greater in the response of WJMSCs. These results indicate the CS/PCL composite exhibited a favorable bioactivity and osteoconductive properties that could be served as a promising biomaterial for bone tissue engineering scaffolds.