Bone Scaffolds Based on Degradable Vaterite/PEG‐Composite Microgels. Issue 11 (6th May 2020) - Stengelin, Elena
Abstract: Vaterite, a metastable modification of calcium carbonate, embedded in a flexible microgel packaging with adjustable mechanical properties, functionality, and biocompatibility, provides a powerful scaffolding for bone tissue regeneration, as it is easily convertible to bone‐like hydroxyapatite (HA). In this study, the synthesis and physical analysis of a packaging material to encapsulate vaterite particles and osteoblast cells into monodisperse, sub‐millimeter‐sized microgels, is described whereby a systematic approach is used to tailor the microgel properties. The size and shape of the microgels is controlled via droplet‐based microfluidics. Key requirements for the polymer system, such as absence of cytotoxicity as well as biocompatibility and biodegradability, are accomplished with functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), which reacts in a cytocompatible thiol–ene Michael addition. On a mesoscopic level, the microgel stiffness and gelation times are adjusted to obtain high cellular viabilities. The co‐encapsulation of living cells provides i) an in vitro platform for the study of cellular metabolic processes which can be applied to bone formation and ii) an in vitro foundation for novel tissue‐regenerative therapies. Finally, the degradability of the microgels at physiological conditions caused by hydrolysis‐sensitive ester groups in the polymer network is examined. Abstract : A promising scaffolding structure for bone‐tissue regeneration is provided by embedding vaterite particles in sub‐millimeter‐sized hydrogels using a systematic approach tailoring the gel properties. The co‐encapsulation of osteoblast cells enables an in vitro platform for the study of metabolic processes in bone formation and an in vitro foundation for novel tissue‐regenerative therapies.