A Fluid Dynamics-Model System for Advancing Tissue Engineering and Cancer Research Studies: Biological Assessment of the Innovative BioAxFlow Dynamic Culture Bioreactor

In this study, an innovative bioreactor, named BioAxFlow, particularly suitable for tissue engineering applications, is tested. Unlike traditional bioreactors, it does not rely on mechanical components to agitate the culture medium, but on the unique fluid-dynamics behaviour induced by the geometry of the culture chamber, which ensures continuous movement of the medium, promoting the constant exposure of the cells to nutrients and growth factors. Using the human osteosarcoma cell line SAOS-2, the bioreactor's ability to enhance cell adhesion and proliferation on polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds, mimicking bone matrix architecture, is investigated. Cells cultured in the bioreactor showed significant improvement in cell growth and adhesion, compared to static cultures, and a more homogeneous cell distribution upon the scaffold surfaces, which is crucial for the development of functional tissue constructs. The bioreactor also preserves the osteogenic potential of SAOS-2 cells as assessed by the expression of key osteogenic markers. Additionally, it retains the tumorigenic characteristics of SAOS-2 cells, including the expression of pro-angiogenic factors and apoptosis-related genes. These results indicate that the BioAxFlow bioreactor could be an effective platform for tissue engineering and cancer research, offering a promising tool for both regenerative medicine applications and drug testing.