Characterizing properties of scaffolds 3D printed with peptide-polymer conjugates

Diana E Hammerstone; Tomas F Babuska; Santiago Lazarte; Brandon A Krick; Lesley W Chow

doi:10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213498

Characterizing properties of scaffolds 3D printed with peptide-polymer conjugates

Biomater Adv. 2023 Sep:152:213498. doi: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213498. Epub 2023 Jun 5.

Authors

Diana E Hammerstone¹, Tomas F Babuska², Santiago Lazarte³, Brandon A Krick⁴, Lesley W Chow⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Lehigh University, 5 E Packer Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Building A Room A229, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, 19 Memorial Dr W, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Building A, Room A131, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ Department of Mechanical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Building A Room A229, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Lehigh University, 5 E Packer Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, 7 Asa Drive, Suite 205, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 37295132
DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213498

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a popular biomaterials fabrication technique because it enables scaffold composition and architecture to be tuned for different applications. Modifying these properties can also alter mechanical properties, making it challenging to decouple biochemical and physical properties. In this study, inks containing peptide-poly(caprolactone) (PCL) conjugates were solvent-cast 3D printed to create peptide-functionalized scaffolds. We characterized how different concentrations of hyaluronic acid-binding (HAbind-PCL) or mineralizing (E3-PCL) conjugates influenced properties of the resulting 3D-printed constructs. The peptide sequences CGGGRYPISRPRKR (HAbind-PCL; positively charged) and CGGGAAAEEE (E3-PCL; negatively charged) enabled us to evaluate how conjugate chemistry, charge, and concentration affected 3D-printed architecture, conjugate location, and mechanical properties. For both HAbind-PCL and E3-PCL, conjugate addition did not affect ink viscosity, filament diameter, scaffold architecture, or scaffold compressive modulus. Increasing conjugate concentration in the ink prior to printing correlated with an increase in peptide concentration on the scaffold surface. Interestingly, conjugate type affected final conjugate location within the 3D-printed filament cross-section. HAbind-PCL conjugates remained within the filament bulk while E3-PCL conjugates were located closer to the filament surface. E3-PCL at all concentrations did not affect mechanical properties, but an intermediate HAbind-PCL concentration resulted in a moderate decrease in filament tensile modulus. These data suggest final conjugate location within the filament bulk may influence mechanical properties. However, no significant differences were observed between PCL filaments printed without conjugates and filaments printed with higher HAbind-PCL concentrations. These results demonstrate that this 3D printing platform can be used to functionalize the surface without significant changes to the physical properties of the scaffold. The downstream potential of this strategy will enable decoupling of biochemical and physical properties to fine-tune cellular responses and support functional tissue regeneration.

Keywords: 3D printing; Biodegradable polymers; Biofabrication; Peptides; Scaffold mechanical properties; Surface functionalization.

MeSH terms

Peptides
Polyesters
Polymers*
Printing, Three-Dimensional
Tissue Scaffolds* / chemistry

Substances

Polymers
Polyesters
Peptides