This study proposes a new concept for an on-demand drug releasing device intended for integration into additively manufactured (i.e., 3D printed) orthopedic implants. The system comprises a surface with conduits connected to a subsurface reservoir used for storage and on-demand release of antimicrobial agents, covered with a cap that prevents the antibacterial agents from being released until alternating magnetic field (AMF) raises the temperature of the cap, thus, releasing the stored drug. To demonstrate this concept, Ti6Al4V specimens are directly 3D printed using selective laser melting and their surface, reservoirs, and drug releasing properties are characterized. A new synthetic antimicrobial peptide, SAAP-148, is thereafter tested for its cytotoxic, osteogenic, and immunomodulatory effects at concentrations relevant for its minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) and is compared with its natural analogue, LL-37. The results showed that AMF successfully activated the release from the 3D printed loaded samples. Both peptides demonstrated to be non-cytotoxic within the MBC levels for macrophages and preosteoblasts and did not influence their osteoimmunomodulatory behavior. The findings of this study indicate that the proposed concept is technically feasible and has the potential to be used for the development of bone implants with on-demand delivery systems to fight IAI without systemic or continuous local release of antibiotics.

The Poisson's ratio and elastic modulus are two parameters determining the elastic behavior of biomaterials. While the effects of elastic modulus on the cell response is widely studied, very little is known regarding the effects of the Poisson's ratio. The micro-architecture of meta-biomaterials determines not only the Poisson's ratio but also several other parameters that also influence cell response, such as porosity, pore size, and effective elastic modulus. It is, therefore, very challenging to isolate the effects of the Poisson's ratio from those of other micro-architectural parameters. Here, we computationally design meta-biomaterials with controlled Poisson's ratios, ranging between -0.74 and +0.74, while maintaining consistent porosity, pore size, and effective elastic modulus. The 3D meta-biomaterials were additively manufactured at the micro-scale using two-photon polymerization (2PP), and were mechanically evaluated at the meso‑scale. The response of murine preosteoblasts to these meta-biomaterials was then studied using in vitro cell culture models. Meta-biomaterials with positive Poisson's ratios resulted in higher metabolic activity than those with negative values. The cells could attach and infiltrate all meta-biomaterials from the bottom to the top, fully covering the scaffolds after 17 days of culture. Interestingly, the meta-biomaterials exhibited different cell-induced deformations (e.g., shrinkage or local bending) as observed via scanning electron microscopy. The outcomes of osteogenic differentiation (i.e., Runx2 immunofluorescent staining) and matrix mineralization (i.e., Alizarin red staining) assays indicated the significant potential impact of these meta-biomaterials in the field of bone tissue engineering, paving the way for the development of advanced bone meta-implants. Statement of significance: We studied the influence of Poisson's ratio on bone cell response in meta-biomaterials. While elastic modulus effects are well-studied, the impact of Poisson's ratio, especially negative values found in architected biomaterials, remains largely unexplored. The complexity arises from intertwined micro-architectural parameters, such as porosity and elastic modulus, making it challenging to isolate the Poisson's ratio. To overcome this limitation, this study employed rational computational design to create meta-biomaterials with controlled Poisson's ratios, alongside consistent effective elastic modulus, porosity, and pore size. The study reveals that two-photon polymerized 3D meta-biomaterials with positive Poisson's ratios displayed higher metabolic activity, while all the developed meta-biomaterials supported osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblasts as well as matrix mineralization. The outcomes pave the way for the development of advanced 3D bone tissue models and meta-implants.

Living organisms use functional gradients (FGs) to interface hard and soft materials (e.g., bone and tendon), a strategy with engineering potential. Past attempts involving hard (or soft) phase ratio variation have led to mechanical property inaccuracies because of microscale-material macroscale-property nonlinearity. This study examines 3D-printed voxels from either hard or soft phase to decode this relationship. Combining micro/macroscale experiments and finite element simulations, a power law model emerges, linking voxel arrangement to composite properties. This model guides the creation of voxel-level FG structures, resulting in two biomimetic constructs mimicking specific bone-soft tissue interfaces with superior mechanical properties. Additionally, the model studies the FG influence on murine preosteoblast and human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cell (hBMSC) morphology and protein expression, driving rational design of soft-hard interfaces in biomedical applications.

The development of biodegradable Fe-based bone implants has rapidly progressed in recent years. Most of the challenges encountered in developing such implants have been tackled individually or in combination using additive manufacturing technologies. Yet not all the challenges have been overcome. Herein, we present porous FeMn-akermanite composite scaffolds fabricated by extrusion-based 3D printing to address the unmet clinical needs associated with Fe-based biomaterials for bone regeneration, including low biodegradation rate, MRI-incompatibility, mechanical properties, and limited bioactivity. In this research, we developed inks containing Fe, 35 wt% Mn, and 20 or 30 vol% akermanite powder mixtures. 3D printing was optimized together with the debinding and sintering steps to obtain scaffolds with interconnected porosity of 69%. The Fe-matrix in the composites contained the γ-FeMn phase as well as nesosilicate phases. The former made the composites paramagnetic and, thus, MRI-friendly. The in vitro biodegradation rates of the composites with 20 and 30 vol% akermanite were respectively 0.24 and 0.27 mm/y, falling within the ideal range of biodegradation rates for bone substitution. The yield strengths of the porous composites stayed within the range of the values of the trabecular bone, despite in vitro biodegradation for 28 d. All the composite scaffolds favored the adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblasts, as revealed by Runx2 assay. Moreover, osteopontin was detected in the extracellular matrix of cells on the scaffolds. Altogether, these results demonstrate the remarkable potential of these composites in fulfilling the requirements of porous biodegradable bone substitutes, motivating future in vivo research. Statement of significance: We developed FeMn-akermanite composite scaffolds by taking advantage of the multi-material capacity of extrusion-based 3D printing. Our results demonstrated that the FeMn-akermanite scaffolds showed an exceptional performance in fulfilling all the requirements for bone substitution in vitro, i.e., a sufficient biodegradation rate, having mechanical properties in the range of trabecular bone even after 4 weeks biodegradation, paramagnetic, cytocompatible and most importantly osteogenic. Our results encourage further research on Fe-based bone implants in in vivo.

Advanced additive manufacturing techniques have been recently used to tackle the two fundamental challenges of biodegradable Fe-based bone-substituting materials, namely low rate of biodegradation and insufficient bioactivity. While additively manufactured porous iron has been somewhat successful in addressing the first challenge, the limited bioactivity of these biomaterials hinder their progress towards clinical application. Herein, we used extrusion-based 3D printing for additive manufacturing of iron-matrix composites containing silicate-based bioceramic particles (akermanite), thereby addressing both of the abovementioned challenges. We developed inks that carried iron and 5, 10, 15, or 20 vol% of akermanite powder mixtures for the 3D printing process and optimized the debinding and sintering steps to produce geometrically-ordered iron-akermanite composites with an open porosity of 69–71%. The composite scaffolds preserved the designed geometry and the original α-Fe and akermanite phases. The in vitro biodegradation rates of the composites were improved as much as 2.6 times the biodegradation rate of geometrically identical pure iron. The yield strengths and elastic moduli of the scaffolds remained within the range of the mechanical properties of the cancellous bone, even after 28 days of biodegradation. The composite scaffolds (10–20 vol% akermanite) demonstrated improved MC3T3-E1 cell adhesion and higher levels of cell proliferation. The cellular secretion of collagen type-1 and the alkaline phosphatase activity on the composite scaffolds (10–20 vol% akermanite) were, respectively higher than and comparable to Ti6Al4V in osteogenic medium. Taken together, these results clearly show the potential of 3D printed porous iron-akermanite composites for further development as promising bone substitutes. Statement of significance: Porous iron matrix composites containing akermanite particles were produced by means of multi-material additive manufacturing to address the two fundamental challenges associated with biodegradable iron-based biomaterials, namely very low rate of biodegradation and insufficient bioactivity. Our porous iron-akermanite composites exhibited enhanced biodegradability and superior bioactivity compared to porous monolithic iron scaffolds. The murine bone cells proliferated on the composite scaffolds, and secreted the collagen type-1 matrix that stimulated bony-like mineralization. The results show the exceptional potential of the developed porous iron-based composite scaffolds for application as bone substitutes.

Black Ti (bTi) surfaces comprising high aspect ratio nanopillars exhibit a rare combination of bactericidal and osteogenic properties, framing them as cell-instructive meta-biomaterials. Despite the existing data indicating that bTi surfaces induce osteogenic differentiation in cells, the mechanisms by which this response is regulated are not fully understood. Here, we hypothesized that high aspect ratio bTi nanopillars regulate cell adhesion, contractility, and nuclear translocation of transcriptional factors, thereby inducing an osteogenic response in the cells. Upon the observation of significant changes in the morphological characteristics, nuclear localization of Yes-associated protein (YAP), and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) expression in the human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), we inhibited focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), and YAP in separate experiments to elucidate their effects on the subsequent expression of Runx2. Our findings indicated that the increased expression of Runx2 in the cells residing on the bTi nanopillars compared to the flat Ti is highly dependent on the activity of FAK and ROCK. A mechanotransduction pathway is then postulated in which the FAK-dependent adhesion of cells to the extreme topography of the surface is in close relation with ROCK to increase the endogenous forces within the cells, eventually determining the cell shape and area. The nuclear translocation of YAP may also enhance in response to the changes in cell shape and area, resulting in the translation of mechanical stimuli to biochemical factors such as Runx2.