3D Scaffolds for Bone Marrow Stem Cell Support in Bone Repair

Abstract

Bone tissue repair is one of the major concerns of regenerative medicine. The current need for tissue replacements has necessitated the development of a new science termed ‘bone tissue engineering‘. The basic organization of bone tissue requires the design and fabrication of a porous 3D structure or ‘scaffold‘ to contain the bone-forming cells. This scaffold should be formulated from biocompatible, osteoconductive materials that are not immunoreactive. 3D scaffolds provide the necessary support for cells to proliferate and maintain their capacity to differentiate and scaffolds containing bone marrow-derived osteoprogenitors can be employed within implants to enhance bone repair. The complex construct is intended to mimic the native in vivo microenvironment and this demands construction of bioactive scaffolds that are also capable of supporting vascularization as well as cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. 3D bioactive scaffolds containing committed osteoprogenitors can provide a promising surgical tool for bone tissue engineering directed at orthopedic and cranio-maxillofacial clinical applications.

Keywords::

• bone defect
• bone implants
• bone marrow stem cells
• scaffold

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to express their thanks to EU Genostem Grant LSHB-CT-2003–503161 and the Israel Ministry of Commerce Magnet Bereshit Grant. No. 2004473 and Magneton Grant No. 2003522, for supporting this research

Additional information

Funding

The authors wish to express their thanks to EU Genostem Grant LSHB-CT-2003–503161 and the Israel Ministry of Commerce Magnet Bereshit Grant. No. 2004473 and Magneton Grant No. 2003522, for supporting this research