Cytocompatibility, fibroblast adhesion and proliferation on surface modified 3D-printed PEEK scaffolds

IF 3.3 2区医学 Q2 ENGINEERING, BIOMEDICAL

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials Pub Date : 2025-03-10 DOI:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.106979

Pedro Rendas , Joana Amorim , Pedro Viana Baptista , Catarina Vidal , Lígia Figueiredo , Alexandra R. Fernandes , Bruno Soares

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a high-performance thermoplastic that, when combined with Additive Manufacturing (AM), presents considerable advantages to produce customizable implantable medical devices. Despite this potential, PEEK's use as an implant material still presents challenges imposed by its bioinert nature. This study investigates the biofunctionalization of 3D-printed PEEK implants to enhance fibroblasts' cellular response due to their important role in the healing of connective tissue post-implantation. Different combinations of biofunctional features were investigated by surface modifying solid, porous, and surface-rough 3D-printed PEEK samples with the sulfonation treatment and incorporation of hydroxyapatite (HA) particles. The porous scaffold construct was designed based on a gyroid surface and then analysed using micro-CT and compression tests. Fibroblast culture assays were conducted to assess the effects of different surface morphologies on cellular adhesion and proliferation. Preliminary data of fibroblast metabolic activity on differently modified PEEK samples was also collected. Results from the experiments suggest that solid PEEK samples with rough surfaces and subjected to both sulfonation and HA incorporation procedures exhibit the most favourable environment for maintaining fibroblasts morphology and viability. Conversely, the lower adhesion and proliferation on smooth as-printed surfaces highlight the necessity for surface functionalization of 3D-printed PEEK. Additionally, results for metabolic activity paired with cell morphologies observed under SEM indicate that large-scale porous scaffolds may present less favourable environment for fibroblasts viability compared to solid surfaces. These findings offer valuable insights to 3D-printed PEEK biofunctionalization towards the improvement of fibroblast response, particularly considering their active role on extracellular matrix formation which is critical for connective tissue support and cohesion during the healing process after surgical implantation.

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表面改性3d打印PEEK支架的细胞相容性、成纤维细胞粘附和增殖

聚醚醚酮（PEEK）是一种高性能热塑性塑料，与增材制造（AM）相结合，在生产可定制的植入式医疗设备方面具有相当大的优势。尽管有这种潜力，PEEK作为植入材料的使用仍然面临着其生物惰性特性带来的挑战。由于3d打印PEEK植入物在植入后结缔组织愈合中的重要作用，本研究探讨了其生物功能化，以增强成纤维细胞的细胞反应。通过磺化处理和羟基磷灰石（HA）颗粒的掺入，对固体、多孔和表面粗糙的3d打印PEEK样品进行表面改性，研究了不同生物功能特征的组合。设计了基于陀螺表面的多孔支架结构，并用微ct和压缩试验对其进行了分析。通过成纤维细胞培养试验，评估不同表面形态对细胞粘附和增殖的影响。还收集了不同改性PEEK样品成纤维细胞代谢活性的初步数据。实验结果表明，表面粗糙且经过磺化和透明质酸掺入的固体PEEK样品对维持成纤维细胞形态和活力表现出最有利的环境。相反，在光滑的打印表面上较低的附着力和增殖突出了3d打印PEEK表面功能化的必要性。此外，在扫描电镜下观察到的代谢活性与细胞形态配对的结果表明，与固体表面相比，大型多孔支架可能不太有利于成纤维细胞的生存。这些发现为3d打印PEEK生物功能化对成纤维细胞反应的改善提供了有价值的见解，特别是考虑到它们在细胞外基质形成中的积极作用，这对于手术植入后愈合过程中结缔组织的支持和凝聚力至关重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials 工程技术-材料科学：生物材料

CiteScore

7.20

自引率

7.70%

发文量

505

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials is concerned with the mechanical deformation, damage and failure under applied forces, of biological material (at the tissue, cellular and molecular levels) and of biomaterials, i.e. those materials which are designed to mimic or replace biological materials. The primary focus of the journal is the synthesis of materials science, biology, and medical and dental science. Reports of fundamental scientific investigations are welcome, as are articles concerned with the practical application of materials in medical devices. Both experimental and theoretical work is of interest; theoretical papers will normally include comparison of predictions with experimental data, though we recognize that this may not always be appropriate. The journal also publishes technical notes concerned with emerging experimental or theoretical techniques, letters to the editor and, by invitation, review articles and papers describing existing techniques for the benefit of an interdisciplinary readership.