Three-Dimensional Printing of Bone Extracellular Matrix for Craniofacial Regeneration

Tissue-engineered approaches to regenerate bone in the craniomaxillofacial region utilize biomaterial scaffolds to provide structural and biological cues to stem cells to stimulate osteogenic differentiation. Bioactive scaffolds are typically comprised of natural components but often lack the manufacturability of synthetic materials. To circumvent this trade-off, we 3D printed materials comprised of decellularized bone (DCB) matrix particles combined with polycaprolactone (PCL) to create novel hybrid DCB:PCL scaffolds for bone regeneration. Hybrid scaffolds were readily printable at compositions of up to 70% bone by mass and displayed robust mechanical properties. Assessments of surface features revealed both collagenous and mineral components of bone were present. Qualitative and quantitative assessments showed increased surface roughness relative to that of pure PCL scaffolds. These findings correlated with enhanced cell adhesion on hybrid surfaces relative to that on pure surfaces. Human adipose-derive...