NOVEL TI-APATITE COMPOSITE SCAFFOLD BASED ON 3DPRINTING TECHNOLOGY INTENDED FOR SPINAL RESTORATION: AN IN VITRO STUDY.

In this study, new hybrid scaffolds based on 3D-printed titanium alloy with spongy bone-like architecture filled with porous hydroxyapatite (i.e. which also mimic compositional and micro geometric features of bone inorganic matrix) were investigated in vitro in terms of cell osteogenic differentiation, matrix maturation and mineralization. MTT-assay proved the high proliferation profile of the osteoblastic cells coincubated with the studied scaffold. RT-PCR evidenced enhanced expression level of several key osteogenic markers, such as Runt-related transcription factor 2, collagen, alkaline phosphatase, bone sialoprotein, osteocalcin. Extracellular matrix staining showed highly collagen synthesis. Alizarin-red staining confirmed nodule bone formation, i.e. matrix mineralization. The results put forward the osteogenic behaviour of the studied scaffolds and consequently their potential for using in bone restoration after further in vivo study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]