Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40064747›Full record

Article3D printing in medicine2025

Trabecular-bone mimicking osteoconductive collagen scaffolds: an optimized 3D printing approach using freeform reversible embedding of suspended hydrogels.

Michael G Kontakis, Marie Moulin, Brittmarie Andersson, Norein Norein, Ayan Samanta, Christina Stelzl, Adam Engberg, Anna Diez-Escudero, Johan Kreuger, Nils P Hailer

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in 3D printing in medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Michael G Kontakis *OrthoLab, Department of Surgical Sciences/Orthopaedics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 85, Sweden. mikael.kontakis@surgsci.uu.se.
Marie Moulin *Department of Medical Cell Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 23, Sweden.
Brittmarie AnderssonOrthoLab, Department of Surgical Sciences/Orthopaedics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 85, Sweden.
Norein NoreinDepartment of Chemistry - Ångström Laboratory, Macromolecular Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 21, Sweden.
Ayan SamantaDepartment of Chemistry - Ångström Laboratory, Macromolecular Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 21, Sweden.
Christina StelzlDepartment of Medical Cell Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 23, Sweden.
Adam EngbergDepartment of Medical Cell Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 23, Sweden.
Anna Diez-EscuderoOrthoLab, Department of Surgical Sciences/Orthopaedics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 85, Sweden.
Johan KreugerDepartment of Medical Cell Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 23, Sweden.
Nils P HailerOrthoLab, Department of Surgical Sciences/Orthopaedics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 85, Sweden.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTechnological constraints limit 3D printing of collagen structures with complex trabecular shapes. However, the Freeform Reversible Embedding of Suspended Hydrogels (FRESH) method may allow for precise 3D printing of porous collagen scaffolds that carry the potential for repairing critical size bone defects.

methodsCollagen type I scaffolds mimicking trabecular bone were fabricated through FRESH 3D printing and compared either with 2D collagen coatings or with 3D-printed polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) scaffolds. The porosity of the printed scaffolds was visualized by confocal microscopy, the surface geometry of the scaffolds was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their mechanical properties were assessed with a rheometer. The osteoconductive properties of the different scaffolds were evaluated for up to four weeks by seeding and propagation of primary human osteoblasts (hOBs) or SaOS-2 cells. Intracellular alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were measured, and cells colonizing scaffolds were stained for osteocalcin (OCN).

resultsThe FRESH technique enables printing of constructs at the millimetre scale using highly concentrated collagen, and the creation of stable trabecular structures that can support the growth osteogenic cells. FRESH-printed collagen scaffolds displayed an intricate and fibrous 3D network, as visualized by SEM, whereas the PEGDA scaffolds had a smooth surface. Amplitude sweep analyses revealed that the collagen scaffolds exhibited predominantly elastic behaviour, as indicated by higher storage modulus values relative to loss modulus values, while the degradation rate of collagen scaffolds was greater than PEGDA. The osteoconductive properties of collagen scaffolds were similar to those of PEGDA scaffolds but superior to 2D collagen, as verified by cell culture followed by analysis of ALP/LDH activity and OCN immunostaining.

conclusionsOur findings suggest that FRESH-printed collagen scaffolds exhibit favourable mechanical, degradation and osteoconductive properties, potentially outperforming synthetic polymers such as PEGDA in bone tissue engineering applications.

Indexed as

Additive manufacturingBioprintingCollagenFRESHTissue engineering

Identifiers

PMID40064747
PMCPMC11895158

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.