3D-printed photoluminescent bioactive scaffolds with biomimetic elastomeric surface for enhanced bone tissue engineering

Three dimensional (3D) printed porous bioactive glass nanoparticles scaffolds (BGNS) exhibit excellent bone integration and bone regeneration capacities, but the early rapid ion release, brittle mechanical properties and lack of functions limit their application. In this work, photoluminescent biomimetic elastomeric BGNS were fabricated by directly assembling poly(citrate-siloxane) (PCS) on the surface of BGNS (BGNS@PCS). The morphologies, mechanical behavior, photoluminescent ability, ions release, biomineralization activity, biocompatibility and osteogenic properties of BGNS@PCS were evaluated in detail. The results indicated that BGNS@PCS presented superior elasticity and outstanding compressive strength compared with BGNS. The controlled release of the Si and Ca ions in BGNS@PCS was achieved and enhanced biomineralization ability was also observed. In addition, the modified scaffolds have the photoluminescent ability which has the potential application for bioimaging. BGNS@PCS could significantly promote cells attachment, proliferation and enhance osteogenic differentiation of mouse bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Therefore, the BGNS@PCS with the multifunctional properties including elastomeric surface, enhanced photoluminescent, controlled ions release and biomineralization, reinforced osteogenic activity, would be a promising candidate for bone tissue regeneration. This study probably provides a novel strategy to design biomimetic elastomeric bioceramic scaffolds for hard tissue regeneration.