Artificial Bone via Bone Tissue Engineering: Current Scenario and Challenges

Abstract

Bone provides mechanical support, and flexibility to the body as a structural frame work along with mineral storage, homeostasis, and blood pH regulation. The repair and/or replacement of injured or defective bone with healthy bone or bone substitute is a critical problem in orthopedic treatment. Recent advances in tissue engineering have shown promising results in developing bone material capable of substituting the conventional autogenic or allogenic bone transplants. In the present review, we have discussed natural and synthetic scaffold materials such as metal and metal alloys, ceramics, polymers, etc. which are widely being used along with their cellular counterparts such as stem cells in bone tissue engineering with their pros and cons.

Keywords: Bone; Bone tissue engineering; Growth factors; Regenerative medicine; Scaffolds.

Fig. 1

Hierarchical structural organization of bone: A cortical and cancellous bone, B osteons with haversian systems, C lamellae, D collagen fibre assemblies of collagen fibris, E bone mineral crystals, collagen molecules, and non-collagenous proteins. Reproduced with permission from Rho et al. [2], ^©1998 Elsevier Ltd

Fig. 2

Outline of bone tissue engineering: mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, umbilical cord, adipose tissue or embryonic tissue can be used along with growth factors on different biomaterials to repair or regenerate bone tissue

Fig. 3

Schematic diagram of bioreactors: A spinner flask bioreactor, B rotating bioreactor, C perfusion bioreactor. Cells, growth factors filled 3D constructs cultured in bioreactors can be used to regenerate bone tissues