Effect of bioceramic inclusions on gel-cast aliphatic polymer membranes for bone tissue engineering applications: An in vitro study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nayak, Vasudev Vivekanand^a; | Bergamo, Edmara T.P.^{b; c} | Sanjairaj, Vijayavenkataraman^d | Behera, Rakesh Kumar^e | Gupta, Nikhil^e | Coelho, Paulo G.^{a; f} | Witek, Lukasz^{b; g; h}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA | [b] Biomaterials Division, NYU Dentistry, New York, NY, USA | [c] Department of Prosthodontics, NYU Dentistry, New York, NY, USA | [d] Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | [e] Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY, USA | [f] DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA | [g] Department of Biomedical Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY, USA | [h] Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Vasudev Vivekanand Nayak, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1011 NW 15th Street Room 305, Miami 33136, FL, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Polylactic acid (PLA) has been extensively used in tissue engineering. However, poor mechanical properties and low cell affinity have limited its pertinence in load bearing bone tissue regeneration (BTR) devices. OBJECTIVE:Augmenting PLA with β-Tricalcium Phosphate (β-TCP), a calcium phosphate-based ceramic, could potentially improve its mechanical properties and enhance its osteogenic potential. METHODS:Gels of PLA and β-TCP were prepared of different % w/w ratios through polymer dissolution in acetone, after which polymer-ceramic membranes were synthesized using the gel casting workflow and subjected to characterization. RESULTS:Gel-cast polymer-ceramic constructs were associated with significantly higher osteogenic capacity and calcium deposition in differentiated osteoblasts compared to pure polymer counterparts. Immunocytochemistry revealed cell spreading over the gel-cast membrane surfaces, characterized by trapezoidal morphology, distinct rounded nuclei, and well-aligned actin filaments. However, groups with higher ceramic loading expressed significantly higher levels of osteogenic markers relative to pure PLA membranes. Rule of mixtures and finite element models indicated an increase in theoretical mechanical strength with an increase in β-TCP concentration. CONCLUSION:This study potentiates the use of PLA/β-TCP composites in load bearing BTR applications and the ability to be used as customized patient-specific shape memory membranes in guided bone regeneration.

Keywords: Gel casting, bone tissue regeneration, polymer-ceramic composites, membranes, guided bone regeneration

DOI: 10.3233/BME-240079

Journal: Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-24, 2024