Tissue-engineered bones with adipose-derived stem cells - composite polymer for repair of bone defects

Plain language summary In recent years, the application of bone graft materials in bone defect repair has become a research hotspot. Engineered bone composed of biodegradable, biosafe and bioactive materials is attractive but also challenging. A composite scaffold composed of adipose-derived stem cells and two polymers was developed for construction of biodegradable and bone-promoting tissue-engineered bone. A series of composite scaffold materials with different physical properties was prepared and studied. The composite scaffold showed good biodegradability and water absorption, and exhibited excellent ability to promote bone differentiation - that is, bone defect repair function. This kind of biodegradable scaffold is expected to be applied to the field of bone repair or bone tissue engineering. Background: Development of alternative bone tissue graft materials based on tissue engineering technology has gradually become a research focus. Engineered bone composed of biodegradable, biosafe and bioactive materials is attractive, but also challenging. Materials & methods: An adipose-derived stem cell/poly(L-glutamic acid)/chitosan composite scaffold was further developed for construction of biodegradable and bone-promoting tissue-engineered bone. A series of composite scaffold materials with different physical properties such as structure, pore size, porosity and pore diameter was developed. Results: The composite scaffold showed good biodegradability and water absorption, and exhibited an excellent ability to promote bone differentiation. Conclusion: This type of biodegradable scaffold is expected to be applied to the field of bone repair or bone tissue engineering.