Nanophase hydroxyapatite and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) composites promote human mesenchymal stem cell adhesion and osteogenic differentiation in vitro

Engineering Triphasic Nanocomposite Coatings on Pretreated Mg Substrates for Biomedical Applications

Biodegradable polymer-based nanocomposite coatings provide multiple advantages to modulate the corrosion resistance and cytocompatibility of magnesium (Mg) alloys for biomedical applications. Biodegradable poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) is a promising candidate used for medical implant applications. In this study, we synthesized a new PGS nanocomposite system consisting of hydroxyapatite (HA) and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles and developed a spray coating process to produce the PGS nanocomposite layer on pretreated Mg substrates, which improved the coating adhesion at the interface and their cytocompatibility with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Prior to the spray coating process of polymer-based nanocomposites, the Mg substrates were pretreated in alkaline solutions to enhance the interfacial adhesion strength of the polymer-based nanocomposite coatings. The addition of HA and MgO nanoparticles (nHA and nMgO) to the PGS matrix, as well as the alkaline pretreatment of the Mg substrates, significantly enhanced the interfacial adhesion strength when compared with the PGS coating on the nontreated Mg control. The average BMSC adhesion densities were higher on the PGS/nHA/nMgO coated Mg than the noncoated Mg controls under direct contact conditions. Moreover, the addition of nHA and nMgO to the PGS matrix and coating the nanocomposite onto Mg substrates increased the average BMSC adhesion density when compared with the PGS/nHA/nMgO coated titanium (Ti) and PGS coated Mg controls under direct contact. Therefore, the spray coating process of PGS/nHA/nMgO nanocomposites on Mg substrates or other biodegradable metal substrates could provide a promising surface treatment strategy for biodegradable implant applications.

Integrated bioactive scaffold with aptamer-targeted stem cell recruitment and growth factor-induced pro-differentiation effects for anisotropic meniscal regeneration

Reconstruction of the knee meniscus remains a significant clinical challenge owing to its complex anisotropic tissue organization, complex functions, and limited healing capacity in the inner region. The development of in situ tissue-engineered meniscal scaffolds, which provide biochemical signaling to direct endogenous stem/progenitor cell (ESPC) behavior, has the potential to revolutionize meniscal tissue engineering. In this study, a fiber-reinforced porous scaffold was developed based on aptamer Apt19S-mediated mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-specific recruitment and dual growth factor (GF)-enhanced meniscal differentiation. The aptamer, which can specifically recognize and recruit MSCs, was first chemically conjugated to the decellularized meniscus extracellular matrix (MECM) and then mixed with gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) to form a photocrosslinkable hydrogel. Second, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) and transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3)-loaded PLGA microparticles (MPs) were mixed with aptamer-conjugated MECM to simulate anisotropic meniscal regeneration. These three bioactive molecules were delivered sequentially. Apt19S, which exhibited high binding affinity to synovium-derived MSCs (SMSCs), was quickly released to facilitate the mobilization of ESPCs. CTGF incorporated within PLGA NPs was released rapidly, inducing profibrogenic differentiation, while sustained release of TGF-β3 in PLGA MPs remodeled the fibrous matrix into fibrocartilaginous matrix. The in vitro results showed that the sequential release of Apt19S/GFs promoted cell migration, proliferation, and fibrocartilaginous differentiation. The in vivo results demonstrated that the sequential release system of Apt/GF-scaffolds increased neomeniscal formation in rabbit critical-sized meniscectomies. Thus, the novel delivery system shows potential for guiding meniscal regeneration in situ.

Effects of Nanofiber Scaffolds Coated with Nanoparticulate and Microparticulate Freeze Dried Bone Allograft on the Morphology, Adhesion, and Proliferation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Background:

Freeze dried bone allograft nanoparticles on a nanofiber membrane may serve as an ideal scaffold for bone regeneration. This study aimed to assess the biological behavior of human MSCs in terms of proliferation and adhesion to nanoparticulate and microparticulate FDBA scaffolds on PLLA nanofiber membrane.

Methods:

In this experimental study, PLLA nanofiber scaffolds were synthesized by the electrospinning method. The FDBA nanoparticles were synthesized mechanically. The FDBA nanoparticles and microparticles were loaded on the surface of PLLA nanofiber membrane. A total of 64 scaffold samples in four groups of n-FDBA/PLLA, FDBA/PLLA, PLLA and control were placed in 24-well polystyrene tissue culture plates; 16 wells were allocated to each group. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni test.

Results:

The proliferation rate of MSCs was significantly higher in the nanoparticulate group compared to the microparticulate group at five days (p = 0.034). Assessment of cell morphology at 24 hours revealed spindle-shaped cells with a higher number of appendages in the nanoparticulate group compared to other groups.

Conclusion:

MSCs on n-FDBA/PLLA scaffold were morphologically more active and flatter with a higher number of cellular appendages, as compared to FDBA/PLLA. It seems that the nanoparticulate scaffold is superior to the microparticulate scaffold in terms of proliferation, attachment, and morphology of MSCs in vitro.

Preparation and characterization of chitosan/graphene oxide nanocomposite coatings on Mg-2 wt% Zn scaffold by pulse electrodeposition process

Mg and its alloys are biodegradable and mechanically strong materials, which can be used for an orthopedic implant and device applications, but corrosion rate of these alloys is high. In this research, the nanocomposite coatings of chitosan (CS)/graphene oxide (GO) were fabricated to improve the corrosion resistance of the Mg-2 wt% Zn scaffold. The contents of the GO nanosheets and the pulse electrodeposition process parameters, including peak current density (CD) and duty cycle (DC), will also be investigated. The Mg-2 wt% Zn as a substrate of the scaffold was prepared using a powder metallurgy process. The influence of the porosity was studied on the microstructure fabricated scaffolds. The coating microstructures and morphologies were investigated by Raman spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and SEM. The atomic force microscopy was performed to study the thickness of the nanocomposite coatings. The zeta potential measurement was conducted for the dispersion of the GO nanosheets in the CS matrix. The obtained results showed that the optimum conditions to fabricate a uniform CS/GO coating on the scaffolds were 2 wt% GO, CD = 20 mA cm^-2, and DC = 0.5. The pH, time and temperature for the fabrication of the coatings were conducted at 5, 20 min, and 37 °C, respectively. Additionally, the potentiodynamic polarization measurement in simulated body fluid indicated that the CS/GO coatings could provide effective protection of the scaffolds against corrosion. Additionally, the optimum sample obtained from the aspect of the corrosion behavior demonstrated adequate biocompatibility with proper adhesion of mouse fibroblast cells (L929) on the CS-2 wt% GO coating.

BMSC seeding in different scaffold incorporation with hyperbaric oxygen treats seawater-immersed bony defect

Introduction

The experiment was undertaken to estimate the effect of BMSC seeding in different scaffold incorporation with HBO on the repair of a seawater-immersed bone defect. And future compared n-HA/PLGA with β-TCP/PLGA as a scaffold in treatment effect of the seawater-immersed bone defect.

Methods

Sixty New Zealand White rabbits with standard seawater defect in radius were randomly divided into group A (implant with nothing), group B (implanted with autogenous bone), group C (implanted with n-HA/PLGA/BMSCs), and group D (implanted with β-TCP/PLGA/BMSCs). After the implant, each rabbit receives HBO treatment at 2.4 ATA 100% oxygen for 120 min/day for 2 weeks. Radiograph, histological, and biomechanical examinations were used to analyze osteogenesis.

Result

X-ray analysis shows that n-HA/PLGA/BMSCs and β-TCP/PLGA/BMSCs could accelerate the new bone formation, and the new bone formation in group C was larger than that in group D or group A and close to group B (P < 0.05). After 12 weeks, in group A, the defect without scaffold shows a loose connect tissue filled in the areas. The medullary canal in group B was recanalized. Defects in groups C and D show a larger number of woven bone formation. The new woven bone formation in defect areas in group C was larger than that in group D. The mechanical examination revealed ultimate strength at 12 weeks was group D > group C > group B > group A (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Scaffolds of n-HA/PLGA and β-TCP/PLGA incorporation with HBO and BMSCs were effective to treat seawater-immersed bone defect, and n-HA/PLGA was more excellent than β-TCP/PLGA.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13018-021-02368-8.

HA-hybrid matrix composite coating on Ti-Cp for biomedical application

Calcium phosphate coatings have been applied to titanium metal substrates and their alloys as a synergistic alternative capable of combining the mechanical properties of metals and the excellent bioactive properties provided by ceramic materials. However, the unsatisfactory adhesion of hydroxyapatite coatings on metallic substrates, as well as their limitation when subjected to mechanical stresses have been reported as a limitation. Biofunctional coatings have been proposed as an alternative to single ceramic coatings, aiming at optimizing the long-term clinical success of biomaterials such as Ti. This work aims at evaluating the morphological properties and biological behavior of Ti-cp coated with matrix composite coating hydroxyapatite-containing hybrid. The hybrid matrix was obtained from TEOS and MTES silicon precursors, with dispersed hydroxyapatite suspended by dip coating. For the morphological characterization FTIR, SEM/FEG, AFM and contact angle measurement were used. Biological behavior was evaluated for toxicity, cell viability and the osteogenic differentiation capacity of mesenchymal stem cells. The composite coatings obtained showed regular dispersion of hydroxyapatite particles in the hybrid matrix, with uniform coating adhering to the Ti-Cp substrate. Nevertheless, although they provided similar viability behavior of mesenchymal stem cells to the Ti-Cp substrate, the evaluated coatings did not present osteoinductive properties. This result is probably due to the pronounced hydrophobic behavior caused by the incorporation of HA.

Acrylated epoxidized soybean oil/hydroxyapatite-based nanocomposite scaffolds prepared by additive manufacturing for bone tissue engineering

The mechanical properties and biocompatibility of nanocomposites composed of Acrylated Epoxidized Soybean Oil (AESO), nano-Hydroxyapatite (nHA) rods and either 2-Hydroxyethyl Acrylate (HEA) or Polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate (PEGDA) and 3D printed using extrusion-based additive manufacturing methods were investigated. The effects of addition of HEA or PEGDA on the rheological, mechanical properties and cell-biomaterial interactions were studied. AESO, PEGDA (or HEA), and nHA were composited using an ultrasonic homogenizer and scaffolds were 3D printed using a metal syringe on an extrusion-based 3D printer while simultaneously UV cured during layer-by-layer deposition. Nanocomposite inks were characterized for their viscosity before curing, and dispersion of the nHA particles and tensile mechanical properties after curing. Proliferation and differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) were studied by seeding cells onto the scaffolds and culturing in osteogenic differentiation medium for 7, 14 and 21 days. Overall, each of the scaffolds types demonstrated controlled morphology resulting from the printability of nanocomposite inks, well-dispersed nHA particles within the polymer matrices, and were shown to support cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation after 14 and 21 days of culture. However, the nature of the functional groups present in each ink detectably affected the mechanical properties and cytocompatibility of the scaffolds. For example, while the incorporation of HEA reduced nHA dispersion and tensile strength of the final nanocomposite, it successfully enhanced shear yield strength, and printability, as well as cell adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, establishing a positive effect perhaps due to additional hydrogen bonding.

A review of calcium phosphate cements and acrylic bone cements as injectable materials for bone repair and implant fixation

Treatment of bone defects caused by trauma or disease is a major burden on human healthcare systems. Although autologous bone grafts are considered as the gold standard, they are limited in availability and are associated with post-operative complications. Minimally invasive alternatives using injectable bone cements are currently used in certain clinical procedures, such as vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty. Nevertheless, given the high incidence of fractures and pathologies that result in bone voids, there is an unmet need for injectable materials with desired properties for minimally invasive procedures. This paper provides an overview of the most common injectable bone cement materials for clinical use. The emphasis has been placed on calcium phosphate cements and acrylic bone cements, while enabling the readers to compare the opportunities and challenges for these two classes of bone cements. This paper also briefly reviews antibiotic-loaded bone cements used in bone repair and implant fixation, including their efficacy and cost for healthcare systems. A summary of the current challenges and recommendations for future directions has been brought in the concluding section of this paper.

Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of Nanohydroxyapatite Powder in Combination with Polylactic Acid/Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer as Bone Replacement Graft in the Surgical Treatment of Intrabony Periodontal Defects: A Retrospective Case Series Study

The aim of this retrospective case series was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of nanohydroxyapatite powder (NHA) in combination with polylactic acid/polyglycolic acid copolymer (PLGA) as a bone replacement graft in the surgical treatment of intrabony periodontal defects. Medical charts were screened following inclusion and exclusion criteria. Periodontal parameters and periapical radiographs taken before surgery and at 12-month follow-up were collected. Intra-group comparisons were performed using a two-tailed Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Twenty-five patients (13 males, 12 females, mean age 55.1 ± 10.5 years) were included in the final analysis. Mean probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) at baseline were 8.32 ± 1.41 mm and 9.96 ± 1.69 mm, respectively. Twelve months after surgery, mean PD was 4.04 ± 0.84 mm and CAL was 6.24 ± 1.71 mm. Both PD and CAL variations gave statistically significant results (p < 0.00001). The mean radiographic defect depth was 5.54 ± 1.55 mm and 1.48 ± 1.38 mm at baseline and at 12-month follow-up, respectively (p < 0.0001). This case series, with the limitations inherent in the study design, showed that the combination of NHA and PLGA, used as bone replacement graft in intrabony periodontal defects, may give significant improvements of periodontal parameters at 12-month follow-up.

Uniform-sized insulin-loaded PLGA microspheres for improved early-stage peri-implant bone regeneration

Poor initial stability at the first four weeks after surgery is becoming the major causes for metal implant failure. Previous attempts neglected the control release of insulin for the bone regeneration among nondiabetic subjects. The major reason may lie in the adverse effects, such as attenuated bone formation, hypoglycemia or hyperinsulinemia, that caused by the excessive insulin. Thus, spatiotemporal release of insulin may serve as the promising strategy. To address this, through solvent extraction (EMS), solvent evaporation (SMS) and cosolvent methods (CMS), we prepared three types of PLGA microspheres with various internal structures, but similar size distribution. The effects of the preparation methods on the properties of the microspheres, such as their release behavior, degradation of molecular weight, and structural evolution, were investigated. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) and rabbit implant models were used to test the bioactivity of the microspheres in vitro and in vivo, respectively. The result demonstrated that these three preparation methods did not influence the polymer degradation but instead affected the internal structural evolution, which plays a crucial role in the release behavior, osteogenesis and peri-implant bone regeneration. Compared with EMS and CMS microspheres, SMS microspheres exhibited a relatively steady release rate in the first four weeks, which evidently stimulated the osteogenic differentiation of the stem cells and peri-implant bone regeneration. Meanwhile, SMS microspheres significantly enhanced the stability of the implant at Week 4, which is promising to reduce early failure rate of the implant without inducing adverse effects on the serum biochemical indices.

Optical and biological properties of polymer-based nanocomposites with improved dispersion of ceramic nanoparticles

This article reports a new process for creating polymer-based nanocomposites with enhanced dispersion of ceramic nanoparticles without using any surfactants, and the resulted changes in their optical and biological properties. Specifically, dispersion of two different ceramic nanoparticles, that is, hydroxyapatite (nHA) and magnesium oxide (nMgO) nanoparticles, in a model biodegradable polymer, namely poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), was studied. High-power sonication was integrated with dual asymmetric centrifugal (DAC) mixing to improve dispersion of nanoparticles during solvent casting. The polymer/solvent ratio was optimized to improve nanoparticle dispersion in the multistep processing, including enhancing the efficacy of sonication and DAC mixing and reducing nanoparticle sedimentation during solvent-casting. Microstructural characterization confirmed that this new process improved nanoparticle dispersion in nMgO/PLGA and nHA/PLGA nanocomposites. Improved nanoparticle dispersion increased the optical transparency visually and optical transmission quantitatively for both nHA/PLGA and nMgO/PLGA nanocomposites. Improved dispersion of nanoparticles improved the adhesion of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on nHA/PLGA but decreased BMSC viability on nMgO/PLGA. This difference is likely because the chemistry of nHA and nMgO had different effects on BMSCs. This study provided a new process for enhancing dispersion of ceramic nanoparticles in a polymer matrix and revealed the effects of dispersion on optical properties and cell responses, which are valuable for engineering optimal ceramic/polymer nanocomposites for different biomedical applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 2692-2707, 2018.

Synthetic Biodegradable Aliphatic Polyester Nanocomposites Reinforced with Nanohydroxyapatite and/or Graphene Oxide for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications

This paper provides review updates on the current development of bionanocomposites with polymeric matrices consisting of synthetic biodegradable aliphatic polyesters reinforced with nanohydroxyaptite (nHA) and/or graphene oxide (GO) nanofillers for bone tissue engineering applications. Biodegradable aliphatic polyesters include poly(lactic acid) (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL) and copolymers of PLA-PGA (PLGA). Those bionanocomposites have been explored for making 3D porous scaffolds for the repair of bone defects since nHA and GO enhance their bioactivity and biocompatibility by promoting biomineralization, bone cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation, thus facilitating new bone tissue formation upon implantation. The incorporation of nHA or GO into aliphatic polyester scaffolds also improves their mechanical strength greatly, especially hybrid GO/nHA nanofilllers. Those mechanically strong nanocomposite scaffolds can support and promote cell attachment for tissue growth. Porous scaffolds fabricated from conventional porogen leaching, and thermally induced phase separation have many drawbacks inducing the use of organic solvents, poor control of pore shape and pore interconnectivity, while electrospinning mats exhibit small pores that limit cell infiltration and tissue ingrowth. Recent advancement of 3D additive manufacturing allows the production of aliphatic polyester nanocomposite scaffolds with precisely controlled pore geometries and large pores for the cell attachment, growth, and differentiation in vitro, and the new bone formation in vivo.

Incorporation of silica nanoparticles to PLGA electrospun fibers for osteogenic differentiation of human osteoblast-like cells

The development of bone tissue engineering scaffolds still remains a challenging field, although various biomaterials have been developed for this purpose. Electrospinning is a promising approach to fabricate nanofibers with an interconnected porous structure, which can support cell adhesion, guide cell proliferation and regulate cell differentiation. The aim of this study is to fabricate composite fibers composed of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and silica nanoparticles (NPs) via electrospinning and investigate the effect of PLGA/SiO2 composite fibers on the cellular response of osteoblast-like cells (SaOS-2 cells). SEM and EDX analysis showed that silica NPs were homogenously dispersed in the composite fibers. The mechanical behavior of the fibers showed that silica NPs acted as reinforcements at concentrations of 2.5 and 5 mg/ml. The incorporation of silica NPs led to enhancement of cell attachment and spreading on PLGA/SiO2 composite fibers. SaOS-2 cells cultured on PLGA/SiO2 composite fibers exhibited increased alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen secretion and bone nodules formation. The bone nodules formation of SaOS-2 cells increased along with the amount of incorporated silica NPs. The present findings indicate that PLGA/SiO2 composite fibers can stimulate osteogenic differentiation of SaOS-2 cells and may be a promising candidate scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

The fabrication of biomineralized fiber-aligned PLGA scaffolds and their effect on enhancing osteogenic differentiation of UCMSC cells

The key factor of scaffold design for bone tissue engineering is to mimic the microenvironment of natural bone extracellular matrix (ECM) and guide cell osteogenic differentiation. The biomineralized fiber-aligned PLGA scaffolds (a-PLGA/CaPs) was developed in this study by mimicking the structure and composition of native bone ECM. The aligned PLGA fibers was prepared by wet spinning and then biomineralized via an alternate immersion method. Introduction of a bioceramic component CaP onto the PLGA fibers led to changes in surface roughness and hydrophilicity, which showed to modulate cell adhesion and cell morphology of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs). It was found that organized actin filaments of UCMSCs cultured on both a-PLGA and a-PLGA/CaP scaffolds appeared to follow contact guidance along the aligned fibers, and those cells grown on a-PLGA/CaP scaffolds exhibited a more polarized cellular morphology. The a-PLGA/CaP scaffold with multicycles of mineralization facilitated the cell attachment on the fiber surfaces and then supported better cell adhesion and contact guidance, leading to enhancement in following proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of UCMSCs. Our results give some insights into the regulation of cell behaviors through design of ECM-mimicking structure and composition and provide an alternative wet-spun fiber-aligned scaffold with HA-mineralized layer for bone tissue engineering application.

Zero-dimensional, one-dimensional, two-dimensional and three-dimensional biomaterials for cell fate regulation

The interaction of biological cells with artificial biomaterials is one of the most important issues in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The interaction is strongly governed by physical and chemical properties of the materials and displayed with differentiated cellular behaviors, including cell self-renewal, differentiation, reprogramming, dedifferentiation, or transdifferentiation as a result. A number of engineered biomaterials with micro- or nano-structures have been developed to mimic structural components of cell niche and specific function of extra cellular matrix (ECM) over past two decades. In this review article, we briefly introduce the fabrication of biomaterials and their classification into zero-dimensional (0D), one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ones. More importantly, the influence of different biomaterials on inducing cell self-renewal, differentiation, reprogramming, dedifferentiation, and transdifferentiation was discussed based on the progress at 0D, 1D, 2D and 3D levels, following which the current research limitations and research perspectives were provided.

Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products: A Guide for Bone Marrow-derived MSC Application in Bone and Cartilage Tissue Engineering

Millions of people worldwide suffer from trauma- or age-related orthopedic diseases such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, or cancer. Tissue Engineering (TE) and Regenerative Medicine are multidisciplinary fields focusing on the development of artificial organs, biomimetic engineered tissues, and cells to restore or maintain tissue and organ function. While allogenic and future autologous transplantations are nowadays the gold standards for both cartilage and bone defect repair, they are both subject to important limitations such as availability of healthy tissue, donor site morbidity, and graft rejection. Tissue engineered bone and cartilage products represent a promising and alternative approach with the potential to overcome these limitations. Since the development of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) such as TE products requires the knowledge of diverse regulation and an extensive communication with the national/international authorities, the aim of this review is therefore to summarize the state of the art on the clinical applications of human bone marrow-derived stromal cells for cartilage and bone TE. In addition, this review provides an overview of the European legislation to facilitate the development and commercialization of new ATMPs.

Enhanced bone regeneration using an insulin-loaded nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen/PLGA composite scaffold

Insulin is widely considered as a classical hormone and drug in maintaining energy and glucose homeostasis. Recently, insulin has been increasingly recognized as an indispensable factor for osteogenesis and bone turnover, but its applications in bone regeneration have been restricted because of the short periods of activity and uncontrolled release. In this study, we incorporated insulin-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic-acid (PLGA) nanospheres into nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen (nHAC) scaffolds and investigated the bioactivity of the composite scaffolds in vitro and in vivo. Bioactive insulin was successfully released from the nanospheres within the scaffold, and the release kinetics of insulin could be efficiently controlled by uniform-sized nanospheres. The physical characterizations of the composite scaffolds demonstrated that incorporation of nanospheres in nHAC scaffolds using this method did not significantly change the porosity, pore diameters, and compressive strengths of nHAC. In vitro, the insulin-loaded nHAC/PLGA composite scaffolds possessed favorable biological function for bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells adhesion and proliferation, as well as the differentiation into osteoblasts. In vivo, the optimized bone regenerative capability of this composite scaffold was confirmed in rabbit mandible critical size defects. These results demonstrated successful development of a functional insulin-PLGA-nHAC composite scaffold that enhances the bone regeneration capability of nHAC.

Bone biomaterials and interactions with stem cells

Bone biomaterials play a vital role in bone repair by providing the necessary substrate for cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation and by modulating cell activity and function. In past decades, extensive efforts have been devoted to developing bone biomaterials with a focus on the following issues: (1) developing ideal biomaterials with a combination of suitable biological and mechanical properties; (2) constructing a cell microenvironment with pores ranging in size from nanoscale to submicro- and microscale; and (3) inducing the oriented differentiation of stem cells for artificial-to-biological transformation. Here we present a comprehensive review of the state of the art of bone biomaterials and their interactions with stem cells. Typical bone biomaterials that have been developed, including bioactive ceramics, biodegradable polymers, and biodegradable metals, are reviewed, with an emphasis on their characteristics and applications. The necessary porous structure of bone biomaterials for the cell microenvironment is discussed, along with the corresponding fabrication methods. Additionally, the promising seed stem cells for bone repair are summarized, and their interaction mechanisms with bone biomaterials are discussed in detail. Special attention has been paid to the signaling pathways involved in the focal adhesion and osteogenic differentiation of stem cells on bone biomaterials. Finally, achievements regarding bone biomaterials are summarized, and future research directions are proposed.

Photoacoustic stimulation promotes the osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells to enhance the repair of bone defect

The aim of this study was to evaluate the direct photoacoustic (PA) effect on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) which is a key cell source for osteogenesis. As scaffold is also an indispensable element for tissue regeneration, here we firstly fabricated a composited sheet using polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) mixing with graphene oxide (GO). BMSCs were seeded on the PLGA-GO sheets and received PA treatment in vitro for 3, 9 and 15 days, respectively. Then the BMSCs were harvested and subjected to assess alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium content and osteopontin (OPN) on 3, 9 and 15 days. For in vivo study, PLGA-GO sheet seeded with BMSCs after in vitro PA stimulation for 9 days were implanted to repair the bone defect established in the femoral mid-shaft of Sprague-Dawley rat. PLGA-GO group with PA pretreatment showed promising outcomes in terms of the expression of ALP, OPN, and calcium content, thus enhanced the repair of bone defect. In conclusion, we have developed an alternative approach to enhance the repair of bone defect by making good use of the beneficial effect of PA.

Porous Nanohydroxyapatite/Collagen Scaffolds Loading Insulin PLGA Particles for Restoration of Critical Size Bone Defect

Insulin is considered to be a classical central regulator of energy homeostasis. Recently, the effect of insulin on bone has gained a lot of attention, but little attention has been paid to the application in bone tissue engineering. In this study, porous nanohydroxyapatite/collagen (nHAC) scaffolds incorporating poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) particles were successfully developed as an insulin delivery platform for bone regeneration. Bioactive insulin was successfully released from the PLGA particles within the scaffold, and the size of the particles as well as the release kinetics of the insulin could be efficiently controlled through Shirasu porous glass premix membrane emulsification technology. It was indicated that the nHAC/PLGA composite scaffolds possessed favorable mechanical and structural properties for cell adhesion and proliferation, as well as the differentiation into osteoblasts. It was also demonstrated that the nHAC/PLGA scaffolds implanted into a rabbit critical-size mandible defect possessed tissue compatibility and higher bone restoration capacity compared with the defects that were filled with or without nHAC scaffolds. Furthermore, the in vivo results showed that the nHAC/PLGA scaffolds which incorporated insulin-loaded microspheres with a size of 1.61 μm significantly accelerated bone healing compared with two other composite scaffolds. Our study indicated that the local insulin released at the optimal time could substantially and reproducibly improve bone repair.

A systemic study on key parameters affecting nanocomposite coatings on magnesium substrates

Nanocomposite coatings offer multiple functions simultaneously to improve the interfacial properties of magnesium (Mg) alloys for skeletal implant applications, e.g., controlling the degradation rate of Mg substrates, improving bone cell functions, and providing drug delivery capability. However, the effective service time of nanocomposite coatings may be limited due to their early delamination from the Mg-based substrates. Therefore, the objective of this study was to address the delamination issue of nanocomposite coatings, improve the coating properties for reducing the degradation of Mg-based substrates, and thus improve their cytocompatibility with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). The surface conditions of the substrates, polymer component type of the nanocomposite coatings, and post-deposition processing are the key parameters that contribute to the efficacy of the nanocomposite coatings in regulating substrate degradation and bone cell responses. Specifically, the effects of metallic surface versus alkaline heat-treated hydroxide surface of the substrates on coating quality were investigated. For the nanocomposite coatings, nanophase hydroxyapatite (nHA) was dispersed in three types of biodegradable polymers, i.e., poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA), or poly(caprolactone) (PCL) to determine which polymer component could provide integrated properties for slowest Mg degradation. The nanocomposite coatings with or without post-deposition processing, i.e., melting, annealing, were compared to determine which processing route improved the properties of the nanocomposite coatings most significantly. The results showed that optimizing the coating processes addressed the delamination issue. The melted then annealed nHA/PCL coating on the metallic Mg substrates showed the slowest degradation and the best coating adhesion, among all the combinations of conditions studied; and, it improved the adhesion density of BMSCs. This study elucidated the key parameters for optimizing nanocomposite coatings on Mg-based substrates for skeletal implant applications, and provided rational design guidelines for the nanocomposite coatings on Mg alloys for potential clinical translation of biodegradable Mg-based implants.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

This manuscript describes the systemic optimization of nanocomposite coatings to control the degradation and bioactivity of magnesium for skeletal implant applications. The key parameters influencing the integrity and functions of the nanocomposite coatings on magnesium were identified, guidelines for the optimization of the coatings were established, and the benefits of coating optimization were demonstrated through reduced magnesium degradation and increased bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) adhesion in vitro. The guidelines developed in this manuscript are valuable for the biometal field to improve the design of bioresorbable implants and devices, which will advance the clinical translation of magnesium-based implants.

Prospect of Stem Cells in Bone Tissue Engineering: A Review

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been the subject of many studies in recent years, ranging from basic science that looks into MSCs properties to studies that aim for developing bioengineered tissues and organs. Adult bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) have been the focus of most studies due to the inherent potential of these cells to differentiate into various cell types. Although, the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of cellular differentiation. These cells are another attractive stem cell source because of their ability to be reprogramed, allowing the generation of multiple cell types from a single cell. This paper briefly covers various types of stem cell sources that have been used for tissue engineering applications, with a focus on bone regeneration. Then, an overview of some recent studies making use of MSC-seeded 3D scaffold systems for bone tissue engineering has been presented. The emphasis has been placed on the reported scaffold properties that tend to improve MSCs adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation outcomes.

Biomineralization of Natural Collagenous Nanofibrous Membranes and Their Potential Use in Bone Tissue Engineering

Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) membranes as a decellularized tissue are known to be a natural nanofibrous biomaterial mainly made of type I collagen fibers and containing some growth factors (fibroblast growth factor 2 and transforming growth factor β) desired in tissue engineering. Here we show that the SIS membranes can promote the formation of bone mineral hydroxylapatite (HAP) crystals along the collagen fibers constituting the membranes from a HAP-supersaturated solution. The resultant biomineralized HAP-SIS scaffolds were found to promote the attachment, growth and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in both basal and osteogenic media by the evaluation of osteogenic marker formation. More importantly, the HAP-SIS scaffolds could induce the osteogenic differentiation in the basal media without osteogenic supplements due to the presence of HAP crystals in the scaffolds. Histological characterization of the MSC-seeded scaffolds showed that HAP-SIS scaffolds are biocompatible and promote the formation of new tissue in vitro. The biomineralized SIS membranes mimic some aspects of natural bone in terms of the composition and nanostructures and can find potential use in bone tissue engineering.

Electrophoretic deposition and characterization of nanocomposites and nanoparticles on magnesium substrates

This study introduces a triphasic design of biodegradable materials composed of nanophase hydroxyapatite (nHA), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and magnesium (Mg) substrates for musculoskeletal implant applications. Specifically, nHA_PLGA composites and nHA nanoparticles were synthesized, deposited on three-dimensional Mg substrates using electrophoretic deposition (EPD), and characterized. The three components involved, that is, nHA, PLGA, and Mg are all biodegradable in the human body, thus promising for biodegradable implant and device applications. Mg and its alloys are attractive for musculoskeletal implant applications due to their comparable modulus and strength to cortical bone. Controlling the interface of Mg with the biological environment, however, is the key challenge that currently limits this biodegradable metal for broad applications in medical implants. This article particularly focuses on creating nanostructured interface between the biodegradable Mg and surrounding tissue for the dual purposes of (1) mediating the degradation of the Mg-based substrates and (2) potentially enhancing osteointegration. Nanophase hydroxyapatite (nHA) is an excellent candidate as a coating material due to its osteoconductivity, while the polymer phase promotes interfacial adhesion between the nHA and Mg. Moreover, the degradation products of PLGA and Mg neutralize each other. Surface characterization showed successful deposition of nHA_PLGA composite microspheres and nHA nanoparticles on Mg substrates using EPD. Mg substrates coated with nHA_PLGA composites showed greater adhesion strength when compared with nHA coating, and slower corrosion rate than nHA coated Mg and non-coated Mg. The triphasic composites of nHA, PLGA and Mg are promising as the next-generation biodegradable materials for medical applications.

Investigation of magnesium-zinc-calcium alloys and bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cell response in direct culture

Crystalline Mg-Zn-Ca ternary alloys have recently attracted significant interest for biomedical implant applications due to their promising biocompatibility, bioactivity, biodegradability and mechanical properties. The objective of this study was to characterize as-cast Mg-xZn-0.5Ca (x=0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0wt.%) alloys, and determine the adhesion and morphology of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) at the interface with the Mg-xZn-0.5Ca alloys. The direct culture method (i.e. seeding cells directly onto the surface of the sample) was established in this study to probe the highly dynamic cell-substrate interface and thus to elucidate the mechanisms of BMSC responses to dynamic alloy degradation. The results showed that the BMSC adhesion density on these alloys was similar to the cell-only positive control and the BMSC morphology appeared more anisotropic on the rapidly degrading alloy surfaces in comparison with the cell-only positive control. Importantly, neither culture media supplemented with up to 27.6mM Mg(2+) ions nor media intentionally adjusted up to alkaline pH 9 induced any detectable adverse effects on BMSC responses. We speculated that degradation-induced dynamic surface topography played an important role in modulating cell morphology at the interface. This study presents a clinically relevant in vitro model for screening bioresorbable alloys, and provides useful design guidelines for determining the degradation rate of implants made of Mg-Zn-Ca alloys.

Electrophoretic Deposition and Characterization of Biocomposites on Magnesium for Orthopedic Applications

The objective of this study is to produce a uniform and consistent nanophase hydroxyapatite (nHA) and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) coating on three-dimensional magnesium (Mg) implants using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process. Mg is biodegradable, mechanically strong, and promising for orthopedic implant and device applications. However, currently available Mg and its alloys degrade too rapidly to meet clinical needs. To control Mg degradation and promote bone ingrowth, nHA/PLGA composite microspheres were synthesized and deposited onto Mg substrates using EPD process. Annealing was applied to improve the coating adhesion. The surface morphology, composition, and coating cross-section were examined using a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. The results showed the presence of calcium, phosphorous, carbon, and oxygen peaks, indicating the successful deposition of nHA/PLGA microspheres on Mg. The corrosion resistance of the coated Mg was evaluated using the Tafel test. The results showed that the nHA/PLGA composite coating improved the corrosion resistance of Mg.

Nanostructured Ceramic and Ceramic-Polymer Composites as Dual Functional Interface for Bioresorbable Metallic Implants

Millions of medical implants and devices (e.g., screws, plates, and pins) are used each year worldwide in surgery, and traditionally the components have been limited to permanent metals (e.g., stainless steel, titanium alloys) and polyester-based absorbable polymers. Because of clinical problems associated with these traditional materials, a novel class of biodegradable metallic materials, i.e., magnesium-based alloys, attracted great attention and clinical interests. Magnesium (Mg) is particularly attractive for load-bearing orthopedic applications because it has comparable modulus and strength to cortical bone. Controlling the interface of Mg with the biological environment, however, is the key challenge that currently limits this biodegradable metal for broad applications in medical devices and implants. This paper will particularly focus on creating nanostructured interface between the biodegradable metallic implant and surrounding tissue for the dual purposes of (1) mediating the degradation of the metallic implants and (2) simultaneously enhancing bone tissue regeneration and integration. Nanophase hydroxyapatite (nHA) is an excellent candidate as a coating material due to its osteoconductivity that has been widely reported. Applying nHA coatings or nHA containing composite coatings on Mg alloys is therefore promising in serving the needed dual functions. The composite of nHA and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) as a dual functional interface provides additional benefits for medical implant applications. Specifically, the polymer phase promotes interfacial adhesion between the nHA and Mg, and the degradation products of PLGA and Mg neutralize each other. Our results indicate that nHA and nHA/PLGA coatings slow down Mg degradation rate and enhance adhesion of bone marrow stromal cells, thus promising as the next-generation multifunctional implant materials. Further optimization of the coatings and their interfacial properties are still needed to bring them into clinical applications.

Effects of apatite particle size in two apatite/collagen composites on the osteogenic differentiation profile of osteoblastic cells

The development of new osteoconductive bone substitute materials is expected in medicine. In this study, we attempted to produce new hydroxylapatite (HAP)/collagen (Col) composites using two HAP particles of different sizes and porcine type I collagen. The two HAP particles were either nano-sized (40 nm in average diameter; n-HAP) or had macro-pore sizes of 0.5–1.0 mm in length with fully interconnected pores (m-HAP). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of apatite particle size in two HAP/Col composites on the osteogenic differentiation profile in osteoblast-like cells (SaOS-2). We created a collagen control sponge (Col) and two HAP/Col composite sponges (n-HAP/Col and m-HAP/Col) using freeze-drying and dehydrothermal cross-linking techniques, and then punched out samples of 6 mm in diameter and 1 mm in height. The SaOS-2 cells were cultured on three test materials for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. Total RNA was extracted from the cultured cells and the expression of osteogenic differentiation-related genes was evaluated by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) using primer sets of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), type 1 collagen (COL1), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteocalcin precursor [bone gamma-carboxyglutamate (gla) protein (BGLAP)] genes, as well as the β-actin gene. The cells were also cultured on Col, n-HAP/Col and m-HAP/Col specimens for 1 and 4 weeks, and were then observed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The experimental results were as follows: RT-PCR indicated that osteogenic differentiation, particularly the gene expression of BSP, was most accelerated when the cells were cultured on n-HAP/Col specimens, followed by m-HAP/Col, whilst the weakest accelaeration was observed when the cells were cultured on Col specimens. As shown by the SEM images, the SaOS-2 cells were fibroblastic when cultured on Col specimens for up to 4 weeks; they were fibroblastic when cultured on n-HAP/Col specimens for 1 week, but appeared as spheroids, while actively phagocytizing n-HAP particles at 4 weeks; however, they appeared as deformed fibroblasts when cultured on m-HAP/Col specimens, detached from the particles. Despite limited experimental results, our study suggests that n-HAP/Col may be employed as a new osteoconductive bone substitute material.

Nanostructured hydroxyapatite/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) composite coating for controlling magnesium degradation in simulated body fluid

Biodegradable magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have many attractive properties (e.g. comparable mechanical properties to cortical bone) for orthopedic implant applications, but they degrade too rapidly in the human body to meet clinical requirements. Nanostructured hydroxyapatite (nHA)/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) composite coatings provide synergistic properties for controlling degradation of Mg-based substrates and improving bone-implant integration. In this study, nHA/PLGA composites were spin coated onto Mg-based substrates and the results showed that the nHA/PLGA coatings retained nano-scale features with nHA dispersed in PLGA matrix. In comparison with non-coated Mg, the nHA/PLGA composite coated Mg increased the corrosion potential and decreased the corrosion current in revised simulated body fluid (rSBF). After 24 h of immersion in rSBF, increased calcium phosphate (CaP) deposition and formation of Mg-substituted CaP rosettes were observed on the surface of the nHA/PLGA coated Mg, indicating greater bioactivity. In contrast, no significant CaP was deposited on the PLGA coated Mg. Since both PLGA coating and nHA/PLGA coating showed some degree of delamination from Mg-based substrates during extended immersion in rSBF, the coating processing and properties should be further optimized in order to take full advantage of biodegradable Mg and nHA/PLGA nanocomposites for orthopedic applications.

Metallofullerene nanoparticles promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells through BMP signaling pathway

Although endohedral metallofullerenol [Gd@C(82)(OH)(22)](n) nanoparticles have anti-tumor efficiency and mostly deposit in the bones of mice, how these nanoparticles act in bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) remains largely unknown. Herein, we observed that [Gd@C(82)(OH)(22)](n) nanoparticles facilitated the differentiation of MSCs toward osteoblasts, as evidenced by the enhancement of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralized nodule formation upon [Gd@C(82)(OH)(22)](n) nanoparticle treatment. Mechanistically, the effect of [Gd@C(82)(OH)(22)](n) nanoparticles on ALP activity was inhibited by the addition of noggin as an inhibitor of the BMP signaling pathway. Moreover, the in vivo results of the ovariectomized rats further indicated that [Gd@C(82)(OH)(22)](n) nanoparticles effectively improved bone density and prevented osteoporosis.

Hydroxyapatite bioactivated bacterial cellulose promotes osteoblast growth and the formation of bone nodules

The goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility of bacterial cellulose (BC) scaffold to support osteoblast growth and bone formation. BC was produced by culturing Acetobacter xylinum supplemented with hydroxyapatite (HA) to form BC membranes (without HA) and BC/HA membranes. Membranes were subjected to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis to determine surface element composition. The membranes were further used to evaluate osteoblast growth, alkaline phosphatase activity and bone nodule formation. BC was free of calcium and phosphate. However, XPS analysis revealed the presence of both calcium (10%) and phosphate (10%) at the surface of the BC/HA membrane. Osteoblast culture showed that BC alone was non-toxic and could sustain osteoblast adhesion. Furthermore, osteoblast adhesion and growth were significantly (p ≤0.05) increased on BC/HA membranes as compared to BC alone. Both BC and BC/HA membranes improved osteoconductivity, as confirmed by the level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity that increased from 2.5 mM with BC alone to 5.3 mM with BC/HA. BC/HA membranes also showed greater nodule formation and mineralization than the BC membrane alone. This was confirmed by Alizarin red staining (ARS) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). This work demonstrates that both BC and BC/HA may be useful in bone tissue engineering.