Flower-like Ti(HPO4)2 bioceramic-laden 3D printed platform for enhanced bone regeneration via BMP signaling pathway

Regenerative bone implants have been designed to promote new bone formation, however, the search for a suitable implant remains challenging despite the use of various biomaterials (e.g., bone cement, hydroxyapatite, allograft). In this study, we developed a highly bioactive flower-like titanium phosphate (Ti(HPO4)2) bioceramic and poly(ε-caprolactone) 3D composite with a hierarchical structure and interconnected pores. The newly synthesized Ti(HPO4)2 bioceramic, exhibiting an amorphous surface resembling native bone, high porosity, and enhanced ion release properties, was incorporated into 3D scaffolds using an optimized pneumatic 3D printing process. These scaffolds demonstrated their potential for bone regeneration by promoting early osteogenic differentiation and rapid mineralization with human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs). Moreover, it was revealed their structural stability and tissue regeneration effects after implantation in mouse calvaria. The developed 3D-printed PCL/Ti(HPO4)2 scaffold exhibited enhanced performance in bone regeneration and angiogenesis effects, activated by the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway. Therefore, this study demonstrates an advanced platform with excellent physicochemical and biological properties for bone regeneration.