Xue Dong1,2, Ishani D Premaratne1, Jaime L Bernstein1, Arash Samadi1, Alexandra J Lin1, Yoshiko Toyoda1, Jongkil Kim3, Lawrence J Bonassar3,4, Jason A Spector1,3. 1. Laboratory of Bioregenerative Medicine & Surgery, Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA. 2. Department of Breast Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. 3. Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. 4. Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: A major obstacle in the clinical translation of engineered auricular scaffolds is the significant contraction and loss of topography that occur during maturation of the soft collagen-chondrocyte matrix into elastic cartilage. We hypothesized that 3-dimensional-printed, biocompatible scaffolds would "protect" maturing hydrogel constructs from contraction and loss of topography. DESIGN: External disc-shaped and "ridged" scaffolds were designed and 3D-printed using polylactic acid (PLA). Acellular type I collagen constructs were cultured in vitro for up to 3 months. Collagen constructs seeded with bovine auricular chondrocytes (BAuCs) were prepared in 3 groups and implanted subcutaneously in vivo for 3 months: preformed discs with ("Scaffolded/S") or without ("Naked/N") an external scaffold and discs that were formed within an external scaffold via injection molding ("Injection Molded/SInj"). RESULTS: The presence of an external scaffold or use of injection molding methodology did not affect the acellular construct volume or base area loss. In vivo, the presence of an external scaffold significantly improved preservation of volume and base area at 3 months compared to the naked group (P < 0.05). Construct contraction was mitigated even further in the injection molded group, and topography of the ridged constructs was maintained with greater fidelity (P < 0.05). Histology verified the development of mature auricular cartilage in the constructs within external scaffolds after 3 months. CONCLUSION: Custom-designed, 3D-printed, biocompatible external scaffolds significantly mitigate BAuC-seeded construct contraction and maintain complex topography. Further refinement and scaling of this approach in conjunction with construct fabrication utilizing injection molding may aid in the development of full-scale auricular scaffolds.
OBJECTIVE: A major obstacle in the clinical translation of engineered auricular scaffolds is the significant contraction and loss of topography that occur during maturation of the soft collagen-chondrocyte matrix into elastic cartilage. We hypothesized that 3-dimensional-printed, biocompatible scaffolds would "protect" maturing hydrogel constructs from contraction and loss of topography. DESIGN: External disc-shaped and "ridged" scaffolds were designed and 3D-printed using polylactic acid (PLA). Acellular type I collagen constructs were cultured in vitro for up to 3 months. Collagen constructs seeded with bovine auricular chondrocytes (BAuCs) were prepared in 3 groups and implanted subcutaneously in vivo for 3 months: preformed discs with ("Scaffolded/S") or without ("Naked/N") an external scaffold and discs that were formed within an external scaffold via injection molding ("Injection Molded/SInj"). RESULTS: The presence of an external scaffold or use of injection molding methodology did not affect the acellular construct volume or base area loss. In vivo, the presence of an external scaffold significantly improved preservation of volume and base area at 3 months compared to the naked group (P < 0.05). Construct contraction was mitigated even further in the injection molded group, and topography of the ridged constructs was maintained with greater fidelity (P < 0.05). Histology verified the development of mature auricular cartilage in the constructs within external scaffolds after 3 months. CONCLUSION: Custom-designed, 3D-printed, biocompatible external scaffolds significantly mitigate BAuC-seeded construct contraction and maintain complex topography. Further refinement and scaling of this approach in conjunction with construct fabrication utilizing injection molding may aid in the development of full-scale auricular scaffolds.
Authors: Benjamin Peter Cohen; Rachel C Hooper; Jennifer L Puetzer; Rachel Nordberg; Ope Asanbe; Karina A Hernandez; Jason A Spector; Lawrence J Bonassar Journal: Tissue Eng Part A Date: 2016-03-14 Impact factor: 3.845
Authors: K Storck; R Staudenmaier; M Buchberger; T Strenger; K Kreutzer; A von Bomhard; T Stark Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2014-04-14 Impact factor: 3.411
Authors: Benjamin P Cohen; Jaime L Bernstein; Kerry A Morrison; Jason A Spector; Lawrence J Bonassar Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-10-24 Impact factor: 3.240