Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) is an acetabular deformity caused by stress concentration or abnormal stress during weight-bearing, and it constitutes a significant etiological factor for secondary hip osteoarthritis. Currently, there remains controversy surrounding the selection of treatment protocols for DDH. This study aims to systematically evaluate the osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation capacities of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) seeded on 3D-printed porous polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds in vitro, thereby opening up a new avenue for addressing osteochondral tissue defects and providing a more effective and safe therapeutic approach for patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip. METHODS: Rat ADSCs were seeded onto fabricated 3DPPCL scaffolds. The scaffolds' biocompatibility and support for cell adhesion were confirmed. ADSCs were then cultured under osteogenic or chondrogenic conditions. Differentiation was assessed using Alizarin Red and Alcian Blue staining for mineralization and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) deposition, respectively, RT-qPCR for key gene markers (e.g., RUNX-2, COL-II), and immunofluorescence for protein expression. Experimental groups included scaffolds modified with different concentrations of dopamine or chondroitin sulfate. RESULTS: The 3DPPCL scaffolds supported robust ADSC adhesion and proliferation. Osteogenic induction significantly enhanced calcium deposition and upregulated osteogenic markers (RUNX-2, ALP). Notably, 3DPPCL/DA groups showed a concentration-dependent increase in mineralization. Conversely, chondrogenic induction markedly promoted GAG synthesis and the expression of cartilage-specific genes (SOX-9, COL-II), with the 300 mg/L 3DPPCL/CS group demonstrating the most pronounced effect. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that 3DPPCL scaffolds effectively support the osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of ADSCs in vitro. The findings underscore the scaffold's potential as a promising platform for osteochondral tissue engineering, offering a novel and promising basis for developing combined bone-cartilage repair strategies relevant to conditions like DDH.