PLGA/COL I Composite Scaffold Printed by a Low-temperature Deposition Manufacturing Technique for Application to Cartilage Tissue Engineering

Background Composite scaffolds of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and PLGA/COL I were developed by a low-temperature deposition manufacturing (LDM) technique using three-dimensional printing technology. Their physical properties were tested, and the scaffolds were then used as cell culture platforms to prepare an ideal scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering. Methods The LDM technique was used to fabricate PLGA and PLGA/COL I composite scaffolds. The macrostructure, micromorphology, porosity, hydrophobicity, mechanical properties, and chemical structure of these scaffolds were examined. Primary chondrocytes were isolated and identified, second-passage cells were seeded onto the two scaffolds, and the adhesion and proliferation of the cells were determined. Results Both the PLGA and PLGA/COL I scaffolds prepared by LDM displayed a regular three-dimensional structure with high porosity. The PLGA scaffold had better mechanical properties than the PLGA/COL I scaffold, while the latter had significantly higher hydrophilicity than the former. The PLGA/COL I scaffold cultured with chondrocytes exhibited a higher adhesion rate and proliferation rate than the PLGA/COL I scaffold. Conclusion The novel PLGA/COL I composite scaffold printed by the LDM technique exhibited favourable biocompatibility and biomechanical characteristics and could be a good candidate for cartilage tissue engineering.