Janus 3D Printed Dynamic Scaffolds for Nanovibration-Driven Bone Regeneration
View/ Open
Date
2021-02-15Author
Camarero Espinosa, Sandra
Moroni, Lorenzo
Metadata
Show full item record
Nature Communications 12(1) : (2021) // Article ID 1031
Abstract
The application of physical stimuli to cell cultures has shown potential to modulate multiple cellular functions including migration, differentiation and survival. However, the relevance of these invitro models to future potential extrapolation invivo depends on whether stimuli can be applied "externally", without invasive procedures. Here, we report on the fabrication and exploitation of dynamic additive-manufactured Janus scaffolds that are activated on-command via external application of ultrasounds, resulting in a mechanical nanovibration that is transmitted to the surrounding cells. Janus scaffolds were spontaneously formed via phase-segregation of biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) and polylactide (PLA) blends during the manufacturing process and behave as ultrasound transducers (acoustic to mechanical) where the PLA and PCL phases represent the active and backing materials, respectively. Remote stimulation of Janus scaffolds led to enhanced cell proliferation, matrix deposition and osteogenic differentiation of seeded human bone marrow derived stromal cells (hBMSCs) via formation and activation of voltage-gated calcium ion channels