Evaluation of Solid Free-Form Fabrication-Based Scaffolds Seeded with Osteoblasts and Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells for Use In Vivo Osteogenesis

We investigated the feasibility of using solid free-form fabrication (SFF)-based scaffolds seeded with osteoblasts, derived from human adipose-derived stem cells, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to enhance osteogenesis. To accomplish this goal, SFF-based polycaprolactone/poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid/tricalcium phosphate scaffolds were fabricated using a multihead deposition system, which is one SFF technique. The blended polycaprolactone/poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid/TCP scaffolds were seeded with human osteoblasts and HUVECs and implanted into calvaria defects in rats. At 8 and 12 weeks after implantation, microcomputed tomography, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and histological assays (hematoxylin and eosin staining and Alizarin red staining) were conducted to determine the effects of SFF-based scaffolds on osteogenic potential. In vivo experiments indicated that the osteoblast-only and osteoblast-HUVEC group produced bone formation. Additionally, scaffolds in the osteoblast-HUV...