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4D polycarbonates via stereolithography as scaffolds for soft tissue repair

Author

Listed:
  • Andrew C. Weems

    (School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham)

  • Maria C. Arno

    (School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham)

  • Wei Yu

    (School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham)

  • Robert T. R. Huckstepp

    (School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick)

  • Andrew P. Dove

    (School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham)

Abstract

3D printing has emerged as one of the most promising tools to overcome the processing and morphological limitations of traditional tissue engineering scaffold design. However, there is a need for improved minimally invasive, void-filling materials to provide mechanical support, biocompatibility, and surface erosion characteristics to ensure consistent tissue support during the healing process. Herein, soft, elastomeric aliphatic polycarbonate-based materials were designed to undergo photopolymerization into supportive soft tissue engineering scaffolds. The 4D nature of the printed scaffolds is manifested in their shape memory properties, which allows them to fill model soft tissue voids without deforming the surrounding material. In vivo, adipocyte lobules were found to infiltrate the surface-eroding scaffold within 2 months, and neovascularization was observed over the same time. Notably, reduced collagen capsule thickness indicates that these scaffolds are highly promising for adipose tissue engineering and repair.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew C. Weems & Maria C. Arno & Wei Yu & Robert T. R. Huckstepp & Andrew P. Dove, 2021. "4D polycarbonates via stereolithography as scaffolds for soft tissue repair," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-23956-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23956-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Bo Liu & Hui Li & Fengzhen Meng & Ziyang Xu & Liuzhi Hao & Yuan Yao & Hao Zhu & Chenmin Wang & Jun Wu & Shaoquan Bian & Willima W. Lu & Wenguang Liu & Haobo Pan & Xiaoli Zhao, 2024. "4D printed hydrogel scaffold with swelling-stiffening properties and programmable deformation for minimally invasive implantation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Lile Squires & Ethan Roberts & Amit Bandyopadhyay, 2023. "Radial bimetallic structures via wire arc directed energy deposition-based additive manufacturing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.

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