Engineering Ligament Scaffolds Based on PLA/Graphite Nanoplatelet Composites by 3D Printing or Braiding
The development of scaffolds for tissue-engineered growth of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a promising approach to overcome the limitations of current solutions. This work proposes novel biodegradable and biocompatible scaffolds matching the mechanical characteristics of the native human l...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Composites Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-477X/7/3/104 |
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| author | Magda Silva Isabel Pinho Hugo Gonçalves Ana C. Vale Maria C. Paiva Natália M. Alves José A. Covas |
| author_facet | Magda Silva Isabel Pinho Hugo Gonçalves Ana C. Vale Maria C. Paiva Natália M. Alves José A. Covas |
| author_sort | Magda Silva |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The development of scaffolds for tissue-engineered growth of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a promising approach to overcome the limitations of current solutions. This work proposes novel biodegradable and biocompatible scaffolds matching the mechanical characteristics of the native human ligament. Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) scaffolds reinforced with graphite nano-platelets (PLA+EG) as received, chemically functionalized (PLA+f-EG), or functionalized and decorated with silver nanoparticles [PLA+((f-EG)+Ag)], were fabricated by conventional braiding and using 3D-printing technology. The dimensions of both braided and 3D-printed scaffolds were finely controlled. The results showed that the scaffolds exhibited high porosity (>60%), pore interconnectivity, and pore size suitable for ligament tissue ingrowth, with no relevant differences between PLA and composite scaffolds. The wet state dynamic mechanical analysis at 37 °C revealed an increase in the storage modulus of the composite constructs, compared to neat PLA scaffolds. Either braided or 3D-printed scaffolds presented storage modulus values similar to those found in soft tissues. The tailorable design of the braided structures, as well as the reproducibility, the high speed, and the simplicity of 3D-printing allowed to obtain two different scaffolds suitable for ligament tissue engineering. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:22:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c6d1294065dd4502bed22391c61fdd56 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2504-477X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:22:27Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Journal of Composites Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-c6d1294065dd4502bed22391c61fdd562023-11-17T11:53:16ZengMDPI AGJournal of Composites Science2504-477X2023-03-017310410.3390/jcs7030104Engineering Ligament Scaffolds Based on PLA/Graphite Nanoplatelet Composites by 3D Printing or BraidingMagda Silva0Isabel Pinho1Hugo Gonçalves2Ana C. Vale3Maria C. Paiva4Natália M. Alves5José A. Covas63B’s Research Group, I3Bs—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Avepark, 4805-017 Guimarães, PortugalDepartment of Polymer Engineering, Institute for Polymers and Composites, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalDepartment of Polymer Engineering, Institute for Polymers and Composites, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal3B’s Research Group, I3Bs—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Avepark, 4805-017 Guimarães, PortugalDepartment of Polymer Engineering, Institute for Polymers and Composites, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal3B’s Research Group, I3Bs—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Avepark, 4805-017 Guimarães, PortugalDepartment of Polymer Engineering, Institute for Polymers and Composites, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalThe development of scaffolds for tissue-engineered growth of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a promising approach to overcome the limitations of current solutions. This work proposes novel biodegradable and biocompatible scaffolds matching the mechanical characteristics of the native human ligament. Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) scaffolds reinforced with graphite nano-platelets (PLA+EG) as received, chemically functionalized (PLA+f-EG), or functionalized and decorated with silver nanoparticles [PLA+((f-EG)+Ag)], were fabricated by conventional braiding and using 3D-printing technology. The dimensions of both braided and 3D-printed scaffolds were finely controlled. The results showed that the scaffolds exhibited high porosity (>60%), pore interconnectivity, and pore size suitable for ligament tissue ingrowth, with no relevant differences between PLA and composite scaffolds. The wet state dynamic mechanical analysis at 37 °C revealed an increase in the storage modulus of the composite constructs, compared to neat PLA scaffolds. Either braided or 3D-printed scaffolds presented storage modulus values similar to those found in soft tissues. The tailorable design of the braided structures, as well as the reproducibility, the high speed, and the simplicity of 3D-printing allowed to obtain two different scaffolds suitable for ligament tissue engineering.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-477X/7/3/104ligaments3D-printed scaffoldtextile-engineered scaffoldfunctionalized graphenePLAcomposites |
| spellingShingle | Magda Silva Isabel Pinho Hugo Gonçalves Ana C. Vale Maria C. Paiva Natália M. Alves José A. Covas Engineering Ligament Scaffolds Based on PLA/Graphite Nanoplatelet Composites by 3D Printing or Braiding Journal of Composites Science ligaments 3D-printed scaffold textile-engineered scaffold functionalized graphene PLA composites |
| title | Engineering Ligament Scaffolds Based on PLA/Graphite Nanoplatelet Composites by 3D Printing or Braiding |
| title_full | Engineering Ligament Scaffolds Based on PLA/Graphite Nanoplatelet Composites by 3D Printing or Braiding |
| title_fullStr | Engineering Ligament Scaffolds Based on PLA/Graphite Nanoplatelet Composites by 3D Printing or Braiding |
| title_full_unstemmed | Engineering Ligament Scaffolds Based on PLA/Graphite Nanoplatelet Composites by 3D Printing or Braiding |
| title_short | Engineering Ligament Scaffolds Based on PLA/Graphite Nanoplatelet Composites by 3D Printing or Braiding |
| title_sort | engineering ligament scaffolds based on pla graphite nanoplatelet composites by 3d printing or braiding |
| topic | ligaments 3D-printed scaffold textile-engineered scaffold functionalized graphene PLA composites |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-477X/7/3/104 |
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