Development and Characterization of a Polycaprolactone/Graphene Oxide Scaffold for Meniscus Cartilage Regeneration Using 3D Bioprinting
<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Meniscus injuries represent a critical challenge in orthopedic medicine due to the limited self-healing capacity of the tissue. This study presents the development and characterization of polycaprolactone/graphene oxide (PCL/GO) scaffolds fabricated using 3D...
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2025-03-01
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| author | Melike Nur Özder Aslihan Yelkenci Mine Kucak Aylin Altinbay Cem Bülent Ustündag Fatih Ciftci |
| author_facet | Melike Nur Özder Aslihan Yelkenci Mine Kucak Aylin Altinbay Cem Bülent Ustündag Fatih Ciftci |
| author_sort | Melike Nur Özder |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Meniscus injuries represent a critical challenge in orthopedic medicine due to the limited self-healing capacity of the tissue. This study presents the development and characterization of polycaprolactone/graphene oxide (PCL/GO) scaffolds fabricated using 3D bioprinting technology for meniscus cartilage regeneration. <b>Methods:</b> GO was incorporated at varying concentrations (1%, 3%, 5% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) to enhance the bioactivity, mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties of PCL scaffolds. <b>Results:</b> Rheological analyses revealed that GO significantly improved the storage modulus (G’) from 36.1 Pa to 97.1 Pa and the yield shear stress from 97.2 Pa to 507.1 Pa, demonstrating enhanced elasticity and flow resistance. Mechanical testing showed that scaffolds with 1% GO achieved an optimal balance, with an elastic modulus of 614 MPa and ultimate tensile strength of 46.3 MPa, closely mimicking the native meniscus’s mechanical behavior. FTIR analysis confirmed the successful integration of GO into the PCL matrix without disrupting its chemical integrity, while DSC analysis indicated improved thermal stability, with increases in melting temperatures. SEM analysis demonstrated a roughened surface morphology conducive to cellular adhesion and proliferation. Fluorescence microscopy using DAPI staining revealed enhanced cell attachment and regular nuclear distribution on PCL/GO scaffolds, particularly at lower GO concentrations. Antibacterial assays exhibited larger inhibition zones against <i>E. coli</i> and <i>S. aureus</i>, while cytotoxicity tests confirmed the biocompatibility of the PCL/GO scaffolds with fibroblast cells. <b>Conclusions:</b> This study highlights the potential of PCL/GO 3D-printed scaffolds as biofunctional platforms for meniscus tissue engineering, combining favorable mechanical, rheological, biological, and antibacterial properties. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-77a04de85a7a44bd9de21033bd734064 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1999-4923 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharmaceutics |
| spelling | doaj-art-77a04de85a7a44bd9de21033bd7340642025-08-20T03:43:34ZengMDPI AGPharmaceutics1999-49232025-03-0117334610.3390/pharmaceutics17030346Development and Characterization of a Polycaprolactone/Graphene Oxide Scaffold for Meniscus Cartilage Regeneration Using 3D BioprintingMelike Nur Özder0Aslihan Yelkenci1Mine Kucak2Aylin Altinbay3Cem Bülent Ustündag4Fatih Ciftci5Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul 34210, TurkeyDepartment of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul 34668, TurkeyDepartment of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul 34210, TurkeyDepartment of Metallurgical and Material Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul 34210, TurkeyDepartment of Bioengineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul 34210, TurkeyDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakıf University, Istanbul 34015, Turkey<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Meniscus injuries represent a critical challenge in orthopedic medicine due to the limited self-healing capacity of the tissue. This study presents the development and characterization of polycaprolactone/graphene oxide (PCL/GO) scaffolds fabricated using 3D bioprinting technology for meniscus cartilage regeneration. <b>Methods:</b> GO was incorporated at varying concentrations (1%, 3%, 5% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) to enhance the bioactivity, mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties of PCL scaffolds. <b>Results:</b> Rheological analyses revealed that GO significantly improved the storage modulus (G’) from 36.1 Pa to 97.1 Pa and the yield shear stress from 97.2 Pa to 507.1 Pa, demonstrating enhanced elasticity and flow resistance. Mechanical testing showed that scaffolds with 1% GO achieved an optimal balance, with an elastic modulus of 614 MPa and ultimate tensile strength of 46.3 MPa, closely mimicking the native meniscus’s mechanical behavior. FTIR analysis confirmed the successful integration of GO into the PCL matrix without disrupting its chemical integrity, while DSC analysis indicated improved thermal stability, with increases in melting temperatures. SEM analysis demonstrated a roughened surface morphology conducive to cellular adhesion and proliferation. Fluorescence microscopy using DAPI staining revealed enhanced cell attachment and regular nuclear distribution on PCL/GO scaffolds, particularly at lower GO concentrations. Antibacterial assays exhibited larger inhibition zones against <i>E. coli</i> and <i>S. aureus</i>, while cytotoxicity tests confirmed the biocompatibility of the PCL/GO scaffolds with fibroblast cells. <b>Conclusions:</b> This study highlights the potential of PCL/GO 3D-printed scaffolds as biofunctional platforms for meniscus tissue engineering, combining favorable mechanical, rheological, biological, and antibacterial properties.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/3/3463D bioprintinggraphene oxidemeniscus scaffoldscartilagePCL |
| spellingShingle | Melike Nur Özder Aslihan Yelkenci Mine Kucak Aylin Altinbay Cem Bülent Ustündag Fatih Ciftci Development and Characterization of a Polycaprolactone/Graphene Oxide Scaffold for Meniscus Cartilage Regeneration Using 3D Bioprinting Pharmaceutics 3D bioprinting graphene oxide meniscus scaffolds cartilage PCL |
| title | Development and Characterization of a Polycaprolactone/Graphene Oxide Scaffold for Meniscus Cartilage Regeneration Using 3D Bioprinting |
| title_full | Development and Characterization of a Polycaprolactone/Graphene Oxide Scaffold for Meniscus Cartilage Regeneration Using 3D Bioprinting |
| title_fullStr | Development and Characterization of a Polycaprolactone/Graphene Oxide Scaffold for Meniscus Cartilage Regeneration Using 3D Bioprinting |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development and Characterization of a Polycaprolactone/Graphene Oxide Scaffold for Meniscus Cartilage Regeneration Using 3D Bioprinting |
| title_short | Development and Characterization of a Polycaprolactone/Graphene Oxide Scaffold for Meniscus Cartilage Regeneration Using 3D Bioprinting |
| title_sort | development and characterization of a polycaprolactone graphene oxide scaffold for meniscus cartilage regeneration using 3d bioprinting |
| topic | 3D bioprinting graphene oxide meniscus scaffolds cartilage PCL |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/3/346 |
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