Polymeric Biomaterials for Scaffold-Based Bone Regenerative Engineering

Reconstruction of large bone defects resulting from trauma, neoplasm, or infection is a challenging problem in reconstructive surgery. The need for bone grafting has been increasing steadily partly because of our enhanced capability to salvage limbs after major bone loss. Engineered bone graft substitutes can have advantages such as lack of antigenicity, high availability, and varying properties depending on the applications chosen for use. These favorable attributes have contributed to the rise of scaffold-based polymeric tissue regeneration. Critical components in the scaffold-based polymeric regenerative engineering approach often include (1) the existence of biodegradable polymeric porous structures with properties selected to promote tissue regeneration and while providing appropriate mechanical support during tissue regeneration, (2) cellular populations that can influence and enhance regeneration, and (3) the use of growth and morphogenetic factors which can influence cellular migration, differentiation, and tissue regeneration in vivo. Biodegradable polymers constitute an attractive class of biomaterials for the development of scaffolds due to their flexibility in chemistry and their ability to produce biocompatible degradation products. This paper presents an overview of polymeric scaffold-based bone tissue regeneration and reviews approaches as well as the particular roles of biodegradable polymers currently in use. Lay Summary Biomaterials have become an indispensable tool used in biomedical applications ranging from scaffolds for regenerative engineering to controlled drug delivery and immunomodulation. Regenerative engineering is a developing multidisciplinary field of research that employs the principles of advanced materials science, stem cell science, physics, developmental biology, and clinical translation for the regeneration of damaged tissues. In this field, biomaterials can play a major role. Degradable polymeric biomaterials can be excellent components for developing 3D porous structures used as scaffolds for tissue regeneration.