In vitro comparisons of microscale and nanoscale calcium silicate particles

Calcium silicate (CaSi) materials have been used for bone repair and generation due to their osteogenic properties. Tailoring the surface chemistry and structure of CaSi can enhance its clinical performance. There is no direct comparison between microscale and nanoscale CaSi particles. Therefore, this article aimed to compare and evaluate the surface chemistry, structure, and in vitro properties of microscale CaSi (μCaSi) and nanoscale CaSi (nCaSi) particles synthesized by the sol-gel method and precipitation method, respectively. As a result, the semi-crystalline μCaSi powders were assemblies of irregular microparticles containing a major β-dicalcium silicate phase, while the amorphous nCaSi powders consisted of spherical particles with a size of 100 nm. After soaking in a Tris-HCl solution, the amount of Si ions released from nCaSi was higher than that released from μCaSi, but there was no significant difference in Ca ion release between the two CaSi particles. Compared to microscale CaSi (μCaSi), nanoscale CaSi (nCaSi) significantly enhanced the growth and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) and inhibited the function of RAW 264.7 macrophages. In the case of antibacterial activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), nanoscale nCaSi displayed a higher bacteriostatic ratio, a greater growth inhibition zone and more reactive oxygen species (ROS) production than microscale μCaSi. The conclusion is that nanoscale CaSi had greater antibacterial and osteogenic activity compared to microscale CaSi. Next generation CaSi-based materials with unique properties are emerging to meet specific clinical needs.

Hybrid Sponge-Like Scaffolds Based on Ulvan and Gelatin: Design, Characterization and Evaluation of Their Potential Use in Bone Tissue Engineering

Ulvan, a bioactive natural sulfated polysaccharide, and gelatin, a collagen-derived biopolymer, have attracted interest for the preparation of biomaterials for different biomedical applications, due to their demonstrated compatibility for cell attachment and proliferation. Both ulvan and gelatin have exhibited osteoinductive potential, either alone or in combination with other materials. In the current work, a series of novel hybrid scaffolds based on crosslinked ulvan and gelatin was designed, prepared and characterized. Their mechanical performance, thermal stability, porosity, water-uptake and in vitro degradation ability were assessed, while their morphology was analyzed through scanning electron microscopy. The prepared hybrid ulvan/gelatin scaffolds were characterized by a highly porous and interconnected structure. Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSCs) were seeded in selected ulvan/gelatin hybrid scaffolds and their adhesion, survival, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation efficiency was evaluated. Overall, it was found that the prepared hybrid sponge-like scaffolds could efficiently support mesenchymal stem cells' adhesion and proliferation, suggesting that such scaffolds could have potential uses in bone tissue engineering.

In vitro study of novel microparticle based silk fibroin scaffold with osteoblast-like cells for load-bearing osteo-regenerative applications

Silk Fibroin microparticle scaffolds show promise in bone tissue engineering applications.

Acid-resistant calcium silicate-based composite implants with high-strength as load-bearing bone graft substitutes and fracture fixation devices

To achieve the excellent mechanical properties of biodegradable materials used for cortical bone graft substitutes and fracture fixation devices remains a challenge. To this end, the biomimetic calcium silicate/gelatin/chitosan oligosaccharide composite implants were developed, with an aim of achieving high strength, controlled degradation, and superior osteogenic activity. The work focused on the effect of gelatin on mechanical properties of the composites under four different kinds of mechanical stresses including compression, tensile, bending, and impact. The evaluation of in vitro degradability and fatigue at two simulated body fluid (SBF) of pH 7.4 and 5.0 was also performed, in which the pH 5.0 condition simulated clinical conditions caused by bacterial induced local metabolic acidosis or tissue inflammation. In addition, human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were sued to examine osteogenic activity. Experimental results showed that the appropriate amount of gelatin positively contributed to failure enhancement in compressive and impact modes. The 10wt% gelatin-containing composite exhibits the maximum value of the compressive strength (166.1MPa), which is within the reported compressive strength for cortical bone. The stability of the bone implants was apparently affected by the in vitro fatigue, but not by the initial pH environments (7.4 or 5.0). The gelatin not only greatly enhanced the degradation of the composite when soaked in the dynamic SBF solution, but effectively promoted attachment, proliferation, differentiation, and formation of mineralization of hMSCs. The 10wt%-gelatin composite with high initial strength may be a potential implant candidate for cortical bone repair and fracture fixation applications.

In vitro degradation and angiogenesis of the porous calcium silicate–gelatin composite scaffold

Calcium silicate-gelatin scaffolds stimulated the release of angiogenesis factors such as von Willebrand factor and angiopoietin-1 more than the calcium silicate scaffold.

Compressive fatigue and fracture toughness behavior of injectable, settable bone cements

Bone grafts used to repair weight-bearing tibial plateau fractures often experience cyclic loading, and there is a need for bone graft substitutes that prevent failure of fixation and subsequent morbidity. However, the specific mechanical properties required for resorbable grafts to optimize structural compatibility with native bone have yet to be established. While quasi-static tests are utilized to assess weight-bearing ability, compressive strength alone is a poor indicator of in vivo performance. In the present study, we investigated the effects of interfacial bonding on material properties under conditions that re-capitulate the cyclic loading associated with weight-bearing fractures. Dynamic compressive fatigue properties of polyurethane (PUR) composites made with either unmodified (U-) or polycaprolactone surface-modified (PCL-) 45S5 bioactive glass (BG) particles were compared to a commercially available calcium sulfate and phosphate-based (CaS/P) bone cement at physiologically relevant stresses (5-30 MPa). Fatigue resistance of PCL-BG/polymer composite was superior to that of the U-BG/polymer composite and the CaS/P cement at higher stress levels for each of the fatigue failure criteria, related to modulus, creep, and maximum displacement, and was comparable to human trabecular bone. Steady state creep and damage accumulation occurred during the fatigue life of the PCL-BG/polymer and CaS/P cement, whereas creep of U-BG/polymer primarily occurred at a low number of loading cycles. From crack propagation testing, fracture toughness or resistance to crack growth was significantly higher for the PCL-BG composite than for the other materials. Finally, the fatigue and fracture toughness properties were intermediate between those of trabecular and cortical bone. These findings highlight the potential of PCL-BG/polyurethane composites as weight-bearing bone grafts.

In-situ hybridization of calcium silicate and hydroxyapatite-gelatin nanocomposites enhances physical property and in vitro osteogenesis

Low mechanical strengths and inadequate bioactive material-tissue interactions of current synthetic materials limit their clinical applications in bone regeneration. Here, we demonstrate gelatin modified siloxane-calcium silicate (GEMOSIL-CS), a nanocomposite made of gelatinous hydroxyapatite with in situ pozzolanic formation of calcium silicate (CS) interacting among gelatin, silica and Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). It is shown the formation of CS matrices, which chemically bonds to the gelatinous hydroxyapatite, provided hygroscopic reinforcement mechanism and promoted both in vitro and in vivo osteogenic properties of GEMOSIL-CS. The formation of CS was identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and powder X-ray diffraction. The interfacial bindings within nanocomposites were studied by FTIR and thermogravimetric analysis. Both gelatin and CS have been found critical to the structure integrity and mechanical strengths (93 MPa in compressive strength and 58.9 MPa in biaxial strength). The GEMOSIL-CS was biocompatible and osteoconductive as result of type I collagen secretion and mineralized nodule formation from MC3T3 osteoblasts. SEM and TEM indicated the secretion of collagen fibers and mineral particles as the evidence of mineralization in the early stage of osteogenic differentiation. In vivo bone formation capability was performed by implanting GEMOSIL-CS into rat calvarial defects for 12 weeks and the result showed comparable new bone formation between GEMOSIL-CS group (20%) and the control (20.19%). The major advantage of GEMOSIL-CS composites is in situ self-hardening in ambient or aqueous environment at room temperature providing a simple, fast and cheap method to produce porous scaffolds.

Novel SiO2/PDA hybrid coatings to promote osteoblast-like cell expression on titanium implants

A facile preparation route for depositing a SiO₂/polydopamine hybrid layer on a titanium surface to enhance the adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of osteoblasts.

Physicochemical properties and osteogenic activity of radiopaque calcium silicate-gelatin cements

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the physicochemical properties and in vitro osteogenic activity of radiopaque calcium silicate-gelatin cements. The radiopacity, setting time, working time, flow, diametral tensile strength, pH value, washout resistance and morphology of the cements with gelatin (0, 5 and 10% by weight) were measured, which compared to a popular endodontic material, ProRoot white-colored mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA). The cell morphology, cell attachment and proliferation, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels on the cements were measured by culturing the specimens with dental pulp cells. The results indicated that the presence of gelatin significantly (P < 0.05) reduced radiopacity and diametral tensile strength and prolonged setting time. Nevertheless, the 5 wt% gelatin cement had a radiopacity (5.1 mm of Al thickness) higher than ISO 6876:2001 standards (3 mm of Al thickness). The setting time (33 min), working time (9 min) and flow value (17.4 mm) of the 5 wt% gelatin cement were significantly (P < 0.05) better than those of WMTA (corresponding 165, 6 min and 14.2 mm). The fresh WMTA completely degraded after soaking in a physiological solution for 1 h, while the gelatin cements resisted washout, showing no noticeable breakdown even after 1 day of soaking. The gelatin cement enhanced the higher expression of cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation as compared to WMTA. It was concluded that the 5 wt% gelatin-calcium silicate hybrid cement appears to be promising as a radiopaque biomaterial for medical applications such as endodontics and vertebroplasty.

Bioactive nanoparticle-gelatin composite scaffold with mechanical performance comparable to cancellous bones

Mechanical properties are among the most concerned issues for artificial bone grafting materials. The scaffolds used for bone grafts are either too brittle (glass) or too weak (polymer), and therefore composite scaffolds are naturally expected as the solution. However, despite the intensive studies on composite bone grafting materials, there still lacks a material that could be matched to the natural cancellous bones. In this study, nanosized bioactive particles (BP) with controllable size and good colloidal stability were used to composite with gelatin, forming macroporous scaffolds. It was found that the mechanical properties of obtained composite scaffolds, in terms of elastic modulus, compressive strength, and strain at failure, could match to that of natural cancellous bones. This is ascribed to the good distribution of particle in matrix and strong interaction between particle and gelatin. Furthermore, the incorporation of BPs endues the composite scaffolds with bioactivity, forming HA upon reacting with simulated body fluid (SBF) within days, thus stimulating preosteoblasts attachment, growth, and proliferation in these scaffolds. Together with their good mechanical properties, these composite scaffolds are promising artificial bone grating materials.

Biphasic products of dicalcium phosphate-rich cement with injectability and nondispersibility

In this study, a calcium phosphate cement was developed using tetracalcium phosphate and surface-modified dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA). This developed injectable bone graft substitute can be molded to the shape of the bone cavity and set in situ through the piping system that has an adequate mechanical strength, non-dispersibility, and biocompatibility. The materials were based on the modified DCPA compositions of calcium phosphate cement (CPC), where the phase ratio of the surface-modified DCPA is higher than that of the conventional CPC for forming dicalcium phosphate (DCP)-rich cement. The composition and morphology of several calcium phosphate cement specimens during setting were analyzed via X-ray diffractometry and transmission electron microscopy coupled with an energy dispersive spectroscopy system. The compressive strength of DCP-rich CPCs was greater than 30MPa after 24h of immersion in vitro. The reaction of the CPCs produced steady final biphasic products of DCPs with apatite. The composites of calcium phosphate cements derived from tetracalcium phosphate mixed with surface-modified DCPA exhibited excellent mechanical properties, injectability, and interlocking forces between particles, and they also featured nondispersive behavior when immersed in a physiological solution.

Integrin binding and MAPK signal pathways in primary cell responses to surface chemistry of calcium silicate cements

Cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation on different materials depend largely on the surface properties of the materials. This study sheds light on the mechanism by which the modulation of the chemical composition of calcium silicate cements with different Si/Ca molar ratios could produce different cell responses. Two primary cell types (human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and human dental pulp cells (hDPCs)) were used to elicit the changes in total DNA content, integrin subunit levels, phosphor-focal adhesion kinase (pFAK) levels, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway activity at the cell attachment stage. The effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection targeting collagen type I (COL I) and fibronectin (FN) was also evaluated. The results indicated that increased total DNA content, pFAK and total integrin levels were observed upon an increase in cement Si content. Cements with different Si/Ca ratios did not cause the variations of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) ligands. The Si-rich cement facilitated COL I and α2β1 subintegrin expression, while Ca-rich cement promoted FN and αvβ3 subintegrin expression. Si component of the calcium silicates stimulated cell adhesion via activation of MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 signaling pathways more effectively than did by Ca component, but it did not affect c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) activity. Inhibition of MAPK/ERK and MAPK/p38 signaling pathways in hMSCs and hDPCs significantly attenuated adhesion, proliferation and differentiation as assessed according to total DNA content and alkaline phosphatase activity. hMSCs and hDPCs from the three different donors exhibited a similar preference for cell behaviors. The results of the current study suggest that calcium silicate cements with a higher Si content have the potential to serve as excellent supports for primary cells. Unraveling the mechanism by which primary cells responded to calcium silicate materials will be beneficial for materials design in their eventual clinical use.

In vitro physicochemical properties, osteogenic activity, and immunocompatibility of calcium silicate-gelatin bone grafts for load-bearing applications

The use of a composite made of natural polymer gelatin and bioactive calcium silicate resembling the morphology and properties of natural bone may provide a solution to the problem of ceramic brittleness for load-bearing applications. The in vitro bioactivity, degradability, osteogenic activity, and immunocompatibility of three types of calcium silicate-gelatin composite bone grafts were characterized. The osteogenic activity and immunocompatibility were evaluated by incubating the bone grafts with human dental pulp cells. After soaking in a simulated body fluid (SBF) for 1 day, all materials were covered with clusters of "bone-like" apatite spherulites. The control material without gelatin exhibited an insignificant change in strength, degradability, and porosity and a small weight loss of 6% after 180 days of soaking in the SBF solution. In contrast, the soaking time imposed in this study did have a statistically significant effect on compressive strength, porosity, and weight loss of the gelatin-containing composites. After 180 days of soaking, the composite with 10 wt % gelatin lost 47% and 10% in compressive strength and weight, respectively, with a porosity of 23%. However, the presence of gelatin promoted greater cell attachment and proliferation on the composite bone grafts. Pulp cells on the calcium silicate-gelatin bone grafts expressed higher levels of osteocalcin, osteopontin, and bone sialoprotein. The inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase and interleukin-1 expression and the activation of interleukin-10 were increased with increasing gelatin content. Overall, these findings provide evidence that composite bone grafts containing 10 wt % gelatin with a high initial strength were bioactive, nontoxic, and osteogenic and may be able to promote bone healing for load-bearing applications.