Tissue Engineering

Optimizing printability and mechanical properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) biocomposite blends and their biological response to Saos-2 cells

The study focuses on the development and optimization of materials designed for 3D printing of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. The composite used was based on polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and further modified with polylactic acid (PLA), hydroxyapatite, a plasticizer, and polavinylalcohol (PVA) (prepared at Brno University of Technology, Institute of Material Chemistry). On 3D-printed scaffolds, we assessed metabolic activity, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of Saos-2 cells over a 21-day culture period. The most favorable cellular response was observed in blends with higher hydroxyapatite content and lower levels of plasticizer, which also promoted increased mineralization. Overall, the optimized PHB composites demonstrate strong potential for applications in bone regeneration.

Publication:

Štěpán Krobot, Přemysl Menčík, Kateřina Chaloupková, Ján Bočkaj, Sára Vach Agócsová, Michala Klusáček Rampichová, Věra Hedvičáková, Pavol Alexy, Radek Přikryl, Veronika Melčová. Optimizing printability and mechanical properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) biocomposite blends and their biological response to Saos-2 cells. International Journal of Bioprinting 2025, 11(1), 400–417.  https://doi.org/10.36922/ijb.5175

Cooperation:

• Ústav chemie materiálů, Fakulta Chemická, VUT Brno Brno, ČR;
• Fakulta chemickej a potravinárskej technológie Slovenskej technickej univerzity v Bratislave, SR

Hybrid organosilane nanofibre scaffold formation supporting cell adhesion and growth

In this study, an organosilane nanofibrous (NFs) scaffold comprising of N,N’-bis(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl) oxamide (BTPO) was electrospun. Prepared material showed good protein adsorption and cell proliferation and negligible cytotoxicity compared to poly(ε-caprolactone) and also tetraethoxysilane NFs materials. Therefore, BTPO NF is a promising scaffolding material for use in medicine. Moreover, the pure one-pot procedure ensures no complications arising from multicomponent materials.

Publication:

Hobbs C., Kulhankova J., Holubová B., Mahun A., Kobera L., Erben J., Hedvicakova V., Hauzerova S., Rysova M., Makova V., Hybrid organosilane nanofibre scaffold formation supporting cell adhesion and growth, Journal of Materials Science. 2024; 59:19612–19627, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-024-10324-0

The gradual release of alendronate for the treatment of critical bone defects in osteoporotic and control rats

Osteoporosis is a widespread, serious disease whose standard treatment consists of the systematic administration of bisphosphonates, most commonly alendronate (ALN). However, systematic administration is associated with negative side effects. In this study, we developed a polycaprolactone/nanohydroxyapatite scaffold with encapsulated ALN, for local drug release directly at the site of bone damage. ALN was gradually released from the scaffold over 22 days. An in vivo study demonstrated the effect of the released ALN, which supported peri-implant bone formation.

Publication:

Hedvičáková, V., Žižková, R., Buzgo, M., Vištejnová, L., Klein, P., Hovořáková, M., Bartoš, M., Steklíková, K., Luňáčková, J., Šebová, E., Paurová, I., Rysová, M., Filová, E., & Rampichová, M. (2023). The Gradual Release of Alendronate for the Treatment of Critical Bone Defects in Osteoporotic and Control Rats. International journal of nanomedicine, 18, 541–560. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S386784

The Effect of Osteoblast Isolation Methods from Adult Rats on Osteoclastogenesis in Co-Cultures

Cell co-cultures represent the future of in vitro studies important for testing of tissue substitutes and research of diseases. During the development of the co-culture of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, the influence of the osteoblast isolation method on the formation of osteoclasts was investigated. It was found that the explant culture isolation method induces the formation of a higher number of osteoclasts, with a larger area than the explant culture with enzymatic pre-treatment method.

Publication:

Žižková, R., Hedvičáková, V., Blahnová Hefka, V., Sovková, V., Rampichová, M., Filová, E.: (2022) The Effect of Osteoblast Isolation Methods from Adult Rats on Osteoclastogenesis in Co-Cultures. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 23(14):7875.

Lumbar Interbody Fusion Conducted on a Porcine Model with a Bioresorbable Ceramic/Biopolymer Hybrid Implant Enriched with Hyperstable Fibroblast Growth Factor 2

Stabilized fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2-STAB®) exhibiting a functional half-life at 37 °C for more than 20 days was applied for lumbar fusion in combination with a bioresorbable scaffold on porcine models. The fusion quality of spines treated with scaffold involving inorganic hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate along with organic collagen, oxidized cellulose, and FGF2- STAB® showed a significant increase in fusion quality in comparison to the autograft control group 16 weeks post-surgery.

Publication:

Krticka, M., Planka, L., Vojtová, L., Nekuda, V., Šťastný, P., Sedláček, R., Brinek, A., Kavková, M., Gopfert, E., Hedvičáková, V., Rampichová, M., Křen, L., Lišková, K.,Ira, D., Dorazilová, J., Suchý, T., Zikmund, T., Kaiser, J., Starý, D., Faldyna, M., Trunec, M.: (2021) Lumbar Interbody Fusion Conducted on a Porcine Model with a Bioresorbable Ceramic/Biopolymer Hybrid Implant Enriched with Hyperstable Fibroblast Growth Factor 2. Biomedicines. 9(7): 733. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines9070733. PMID: 34202232; PMCID: PMC8301420.