A scaffold-free cartilage construct fabricated using a bio 3D printer accelerates critical-size bone defect regeneration.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Critical-size bone defects (CSD), often resulting from trauma or tumour resection, represent a challenging clinical condition that is difficult to treat. Although autologous bone grafting is a common treatment, limitations such as donor site morbidity necessitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Approaches that mimic endochondral ossification, the natural process of bone development and healing, are increasingly recognised for their bone regenerative potential. The combination of mesenchymal stem cells and scaffolds, used in many bone regeneration studies, has drawbacks, such as scaffold-derived complications including chronic inflammation and fibrosis. To overcome these issues, we used a bio-three-dimensional (3D) printer that enables the fabrication of scaffold-free 3D cellular constructs. This study aimed to establish a novel therapeutic strategy for CSD by generating scaffold-free cartilage constructs from rat adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (rAT-MSCs) and evaluating their regenerative potential. Scaffold-free cellular constructs were fabricated using rAT-MSCs. Cartilage constructs were generated by chondrogenic induction. A 5-mm CSD was created in the diaphysis of the rat femur. Three experimental groups were established: a Defect group (n = 9), in which no material was implanted into the defect; an MSC group (n = 9), in which undifferentia

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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