3D‑printed Ti6Al4V scaffolds combined with pulse electromagnetic fields enhance osseointegration in osteoporosis

Mol Med Rep. 2021 Jun;23(6):410. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12049. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Abstract

The loosening and displacement of prostheses after dental implantation and arthroplasty is a substantial medical burden due to the complex correction surgery. Three‑dimensional (3D)‑printed porous titanium (pTi) alloy scaffolds are characterized by low stiffness, are beneficial to bone ingrowth, and may be used in orthopedic applications. However, for the bio‑inert nature between host bone and implants, titanium alloy remains poorly compatible with osseointegration, especially in disease conditions, such as osteoporosis. In the present study, 3D‑printed pTi scaffolds with ideal pore size and porosity matching the bone tissue, were combined with pulse electromagnetic fields (PEMF), an exogenous osteogenic induction stimulation, to evaluate osseointegration in osteoporosis. In vitro, external PEMF significantly improved osteoporosis‑derived bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation on the surface of pTi scaffolds by enhancing the expression of alkaline phosphatase, runt‑related transcription factor‑2, osteocalcin, and bone morphogenetic protein‑2. In vivo, Microcomputed tomography analysis and histological evaluation indicated the external PEMF markedly enhanced bone regeneration and osseointegration. This novel therapeutic strategy has potential to promote osseointegration of dental implants or artificial prostheses for patients with osteoporosis.

Keywords: 3D‑printed; porous titanium alloy; pulse electromagnetic field; osseointegration; osteoporosis.

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Alloys / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Cells / physiology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / radiation effects
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / metabolism
  • Electromagnetic Fields*
  • Female
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / physiology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / radiation effects
  • Osseointegration*
  • Osteocalcin / metabolism
  • Osteoporosis / surgery*
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional*
  • Rabbits
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*
  • Titanium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Alloys
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit
  • Osteocalcin
  • titanium alloy (TiAl6V4)
  • Titanium
  • Alkaline Phosphatase

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Cultivation Program from the Renji Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University for National Natural Science Foundation (grant no. 2018GZRPYQN06).