Three-dimensional printing technology, PCL bioprinted scaffold and kartogenin for cartilage tissue engineering

IntroductionCartilage tissue considers challenging to repair and regenerate as lack of vessels and nerves. Todays, regenerative medicine provides some drugs and methods to stimulate chondrogenesis pathways.ObjectivesThe objective is regeneration of a tissue cartilage in a safe way, short time and without struggling with morbidity of conventional methods.MethodsKartogenin (KGN) that can induce chondrogenesis in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) acts through stimulation of runt-related transcription factor (RUNK) family, neither toxic effects even at a concentration of 100 mm nor initiating immune response. Designing a customized scaffold with appropriate shape and porosity and ability of sustained release of bioactive agent such as KGN is a crucial aspect for cell growth and regeneration. A Three-dimentional printed polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold is a biocompatible and biodegradable structure with accurate shape, integrity and other maintained characteristics.ResultsBioprinting technology especially Extrusion or robotic systems can transform PCL as an ideal scaffold with appropriate shape (squared and circular shapes) and size (380-405μm for chondrocytes) and interconnectivity of pores (crucial for cell migration and vascularization). This customized scaffold also helps as to meet the demand of sustained release of drugs and growth factors.ConclusionThe combination of suitable bioprinting system, material and bioactive agent leads to achieve producing of complex tissues mimicking their native counterparts features and functions

Keywords:

Cartilage repair , Polycaprolactone , Bioprinting , 3D printing , Kartogenin