Question

You need to determine which degradable material to use as a tissue engineering scaffold for repair of a critical-sized bone defect. (A critical-size defect is one that will not heal unaided.) You are planning to seed the scaffold with cells then implant it into the defect. While the cells proliferate and generate bone, the scaffold will degrade and create void space into which the new tissue may grow. What

Answer 1

Degradable scaffolds are vital in tissue engineering for bone repair, as they provide structural support and aid in proper tissue regeneration while degrading. These scaffolds include peptides like RGD that promote cell adhesion and differentiation, which is critical for forming a healthy fibrocartilaginous callus leading to bone remodeling.

Step-by-step explanation:

In tissue engineering for critical-sized bone defects, degradable scaffolds are crucial for supporting cell growth and tissue regeneration. When you seed the scaffold with cells, it not only provides structural support but also degrades to create space for new tissue growth. These scaffolds should ideally mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM), promote cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation.

Considering that a callus formed during bone healing comprises dead cells initially, the implanted scaffold within the defect plays a pivotal role. It is not only the physical structure that supports the developing tissue but also includes signaling molecules that instruct cell behavior to optimize healing. A good scaffold can influence the formation of a fibrocartilaginous callus, which will later convert into a bony callus and will eventually be remodeled into mature bone tissue.

The peptides used in these scaffolds, such as RGD, provide signals for cell attachment, which is an essential first step in forming in vitro-engineered tissue substitutes. The peptides are recognized by cell adhesion receptors such as integrins, which are critical for stimulating proper tissue development at the implant/tissue interface.

Answer 2

The question bus incomplete, below is the complete question;

You need to determine which degradable material to use as a tissue engineering scaffold for repair of a critical-sized bone defect. (A critical-size defect is one that will not heal unaided.) You are planning to seed the scaffold with cells then implant it into the defect. While the cells proliferate and generate bone, the scaffold will degrade and create void space into which the new tissue may grow. What degradation method would you prefer for this scaffold material and why ?

(Hydrolytic vs Enzymatic degradation, Bulk vs Surface degradation).

The correct answer to the question is Degradation via Hydrolysis.

This Degradation via Hydrolysis will be most preferred and suitable in this application because,as a result of the aqueous environment between the patients, the lack of need for placing a target on the degradation areas (Since it is implanted into the site that has defect, it is accessible by water because it is already localized).

The bulk degradation of the scaffold will also be considered because since the overall dimensions will be consistent, over a given period of time.

But if the material underwent surface degradation, the implant could loosen up before there is sufficient tissue repair has developed or even fall out of the defect..

Or any cells that are seeded can equally detached itself from the scaffold.