Figure 8.

Schematic illustration showing the cell behavior in pericranium during bone regeneration process after the scaffolds were implanted in bone defects. Upon implantation in the defects, the porous scaffolds recruit the osteoprogenitor cells and stem cells from the adjacent periosteum to infiltrate the interior of the porous scaffolds. As soon as these cells are recruited and anchored, they proliferate and differentiate into osteogenic cells. Smaller pore size provides relatively narrower space for cell colonization and increases the opportunities for cell–cell contact, which facilitates osteoblastic differentiation.