3D-printed scaffolds of mesoporous bioglass/gliadin/polycaprolactone ternary composite for enhancement of compressive strength, degradability, cell responses and new bone tissue ingrowth.

Background: Due to the increasing number of patients with bone defects, bone nonunion and osteo-myelitis, tumor and congenital diseases, bone repair has become an urgent problem to be solved.

Methods: In this study, the 3D-printed scaffolds of ternary composites containing mesoporous bioglass fibers of magnesium calcium silicate (mMCS), gliadin (GA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) were fabricated using a 3D Bioprinter.

Results: The compressive strength and in vitro degradability of the mMCS/GA/PCL composites (MGPC) scaffolds were improved with the increase of mMCS content. In addition, the attachment and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells on the scaffolds were significantly promoted with the increase of mMCS content. Moreover, the cells with normal phenotype attached and spread well on the scaffolds surfaces, indicating good cytocompatibility. The scaffolds were implanted into the femur defects of rabbits, and the results demonstrated that the scaffold containing mMCS stimulated new bone formation and ingrowth into the scaffolds through scaffolds degradation in vivo. Moreover, the expression of type I collagen into scaffolds was enhanced with the increase of mMCS content.

Conclusion: The 3D-printed MGPC scaffold with controllable architecture, good biocompatibility, high compressive strength, proper degradability and excellent in vivo osteogenesis has great potential for bone regeneration.