Novel Three Dimensional Biodegradable Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering
Abstract
The potential of novel polymer/ceramic composites for bone tissue engineering has been investigated. Blends of biodegradable polymers poly(caprolactone) and poly(D,L-lactic-co- glycolic acid) have been examined as scaffolds for applications in bone tissue engineering. Hydroxyapatite granules were incorporated into the blends and porous discs were prepared. Mechanical properties and degradation rates in vitro of the composites were determined. The discs were seeded with rabbit bone marrow or cultured bone marrow stromal cells. Seeded and unseeded discs were incubated under physiological conditions for eight weeks. Electron microscopy and histological analysis revealed an osteoconductive composite that supported bone cell growth on the surface as well as throughout the scaffold. Discs were mechanically assembled in layers and examined in vivo for eight weeks. Bone growth was evident after implantation into a rabbit rectus abdominis muscle. Electron microscopy and histological results indicate tissue ingrowth and vascularization throughout the matrix. We have begun to incorporate growth factors into the scaffold as an alternative to cell seeding. The assembly of these novel materials results in an osteoconductive 3D scaffold capable of supporting cell and tissue growth throughout the thick scaffold. The results of the mechanical assembly of novel composites for bone substitutes will be presented.
BibTeX
@conference{Marra-1998-14808,author = {Kacey Marra and P. G. Campbell and P. A. DiMilla and Prashant Kumta and M. P. Mooney and Jeffrey Szem and Lee Weiss},
title = {Novel Three Dimensional Biodegradable Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering},
booktitle = {Proceedings of Materials Research Society Fall Meeting},
year = {1998},
month = {December},
}