Hyaluronic Acid Promotes the Osteogenesis of BMP-2 in an Absorbable Collagen Sponge

Osteoinductive Dental Pulp Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicle-Loaded Multifunctional Hydrogel for Bone Regeneration

Stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) show great potential for promoting bone tissue regeneration. However, normal EVs (Nor-EVs) have a limited ability to direct tissue-specific regeneration. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the osteogenic capacity of EV-based systems for repairing extensive bone defects. Herein, we show that hydrogels loaded with osteoinductive dental pulp stem cell-derived EVs (Ost-EVs) enhanced bone tissue remodeling, resulting in a 2.23 ± 0.25-fold increase in the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) compared to the hydrogel control group. Moreover, Ost-EVs led to a higher expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (1.88 ± 0.16 of Ost-EVs relative to Nor-EVs) and the formation of orange-red calcium nodules (1.38 ± 0.10 of Ost-EVs relative to Nor-EVs) in vitro. RNA sequencing revealed that Ost-EVs showed significantly high miR-1246 expression. An ideal hydrogel implant should also adhere to surrounding moist tissues. In this study, we were drawn to mussel-inspired adhesive modification, where the hydrogel carrier was crafted from hyaluronic acid (HA) and polyethylene glycol derivatives, showcasing impressive tissue adhesion, self-healing capabilities, and the ability to promote bone growth. The modified HA (mHA) hydrogel was also responsive to environmental stimuli, making it an effective carrier for delivering EVs. In an ectopic osteogenesis animal model, the Ost-EV/hydrogel system effectively alleviated inflammation, accelerated revascularization, and promoted tissue mineralization. We further used a rat femoral condyle defect model to evaluate the in situ osteogenic ability of the Ost-EVs/hydrogel system. Collectively, our results suggest that Ost-EVs combined with biomaterial-based hydrogels hold promising potential for treating bone defects.

Engineering alginate-based injectable hydrogels combined with bioactive polymers for targeted plasma-derived oxidative stress delivery in osteosarcoma therapy

Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species (RONS) in biological systems display hormetic effects, capable of either promoting cell regenerative effects or inducing cell death. Recently, hydrogels have emerged as a promising delivery platform for RONS generated from Cold Atmospheric Plasmas (CAP), known as Plasma-Treated Hydrogels (PTH). PTH have been proposed as an alternative therapy to conventional cancer treatments, offering reduced side effects through the controlled and localized delivery of plasma-derived RONS. In this work, we have developed alginate-based PTH with dual therapeutic action provided by plasma-derived RONS acting as selective anticancer agents for osteosarcoma treatment, and biomolecules (hyaluronic acid and gelatin) to promote stem cell-mediated bone regeneration. For this purpose, we designed a novel manufacturing process to maximize the load of plasma-derived RONS within the PTH. Then, we assessed the PTH bioactivity on osteosarcoma MG-63 cells, and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The results showed that the PTH composed of 0.25 % alginate +1 % hyaluronic acid is the most promising formulation in osteosarcoma treatment, showing a dual-action bioactivity as a selective cytotoxic anticancer agent, and as promoter of the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. These findings provide strong evidence of the significant potential of PTH in the oncological field.

The Paracrine Effect of Hyaluronic Acid-Treated Endothelial Cells Promotes BMP-2-Mediated Osteogenesis

The combination of hyaluronic acid (HA) and BMP-2 has been reported to promote bone regeneration. However, the interaction of endothelial cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) during HA + BMP-2 treatment is not fully understood. This study aimed to analyze the direct effect of HA, as well as the paracrine effect of HA-treated endothelial cells, on the BMP-2-mediated osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The angiogenic differentiation potential of HA at different molecular weights and different concentrations was tested. The direct effect of HA, as well as the indirect effect of HA-treated human umbilical cord endothelial cells (HUVECs, i.e., conditioned medium (CM)-based co-culture) on the BMP-2-mediated osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was analyzed using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and activity, alizarin red S (ARS) staining, and RT-qPCR of osteogenic markers. Angiogenic differentiation markers were also analyzed in HUVECs after treatment with HA + BMP-2. The bone regeneration potential of BMP-2 and HA + BMP-2 was analyzed in a rat ectopic model. We found that 1600 kDa HA at 300 µg/mL promoted tube formation by HUVECs in vitro and upregulated the mRNA expression of the angiogenic markers CD31, VEGF, and bFGF. HA inhibited, but conditioned medium from HA-treated HUVECs promoted, the BMP-2-mediated osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, as indicated by the results of ALP staining and activity, ARS staining, and the mRNA expression of the osteogenic markers RUNX-2, ALP, COLI, and OPN. HA + BMP-2 (50 ng/mL) upregulated the expression of the angiogenesis-related genes VEGF and bFGF in HUVECs and bone regeneration in vivo compared to BMP-2 treatment. In conclusion, the paracrine effect of hyaluronic acid-treated endothelial cells promotes BMP-2-mediated osteogenesis, suggesting the application potential of HA + BMP-2 in bone tissue engineering.

Influence of Extracellular Matrix Components on the Differentiation of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells in Collagen I Hydrogel

Regeneration of periodontal tissues requires an integrated approach to the restoration of the periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone surrounding the teeth. Current strategies in endogenous regenerative dentistry widely use biomaterials, in particular the decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM), to facilitate the recruitment of populations of resident cells into damaged tissues and stimulate their proliferation and differentiation. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of the exogenous components of the extracellular matrix (hyaluronic acid, laminin, fibronectin) on the differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) cultured with dECM (combinations of decellularized tooth matrices and periodontal ligament) in a 3D collagen I hydrogel. The immunohistochemical expression of various markers in PDLSCs was assessed quantitatively and semi-quantitatively on paraffin sections. The results showed that PDLSCs cultured under these conditions for 14 days exhibited phenotypic characteristics consistent with osteoblast-like and odontoblast-like cells. This potential has been demonstrated by the expression of osteogenic differentiation markers (OC, OPN, ALP) and odontogenic markers (DSPP). This phenomenon corresponds to the in vivo state of the periodontal ligament, in which cells at the interface between bone and cementum tend to differentiate into osteoblasts or cementoblasts. The addition of fibronectin to the dECM most effectively induces the differentiation of PDLSCs into osteoblast-like and odontoblast-like cells under 3D culture conditions. Therefore, this bioengineered construct has a high potential for future use in periodontal tissue regeneration.

The optimal dosage of hyaluronic acid for bone regeneration in rat calvarial defects

PURPOSE

Hyaluronic acid (HA) affects angiogenesis and promotes the migration and differentiation of mesenchymal cells, thereby activating the osteogenic ability of osteoblasts. Although studies on the action of HA during bone regeneration are being actively conducted, the optimal dose of HA required for bone regeneration remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to elucidate the most effective HA dose for bone formation using a rat critical-size defect model.

METHODS

Thirty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, with 6 rats in each group. An absorbable collagen sponge soaked with HA or saline was used to fill an 8-mm defect, which was then covered with a collagen membrane. Different treatments were performed for each group as follows: (1) saline control, (2) 1 mg/mL HA, (3) 25 mg/mL HA, (4) 50 mg/mL HA, or (5) 75 mg/mL HA. After a healing period of 4 weeks, micro-computed tomography and histological analysis were performed. The obtained values were analyzed using analysis of variance and the Tukey test (P<0.05).

RESULTS

At week 4, the 75 mg/mL HA group had the highest bone volume/total volume ratio, new bone, and bone fill among the 5 groups, and these values were significantly different from those observed in the control group (P<0.01) and 1 mg/mL HA group (P<0.001). More active bone formation was observed in the higher-dose HA groups (25 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL, and 75 mg/mL HA), which included a large amount of woven bone.

CONCLUSIONS

The 75 mg/mL HA group showed better bone formation than the other groups (1, 25, and 50 mg/mL HA and control).

Growth Factor Delivery Using a Collagen Membrane for Bone Tissue Regeneration

The use of biomaterials and bioactive agents has shown promise in bone defect repair, leading to the development of strategies for bone regeneration. Various artificial membranes, especially collagen membranes (CMs) that are widely used for periodontal therapy and provide an extracellular matrix-simulating environment, play a significant role in promoting bone regeneration. In addition, numerous growth factors (GFs) have been used as clinical applications in regenerative therapy. However, it has been established that the unregulated administration of these factors may not work to their full regenerative potential and could also trigger unfavorable side effects. The utilization of these factors in clinical settings is still restricted due to the lack of effective delivery systems and biomaterial carriers. Hence, considering the efficiency of bone regeneration, both spaces maintained using CMs and GFs can synergistically create successful outcomes in bone tissue engineering. Therefore, recent studies have demonstrated a significant interest in the potential of combining CMs and GFs to effectively promote bone repair. This approach holds great promise and has become a focal point in our research. The purpose of this review is to highlight the role of CMs containing GFs in the regeneration of bone tissue, and to discuss their use in preclinical animal models of regeneration. Additionally, the review addresses potential concerns and suggests future research directions for growth factor therapy in the field of regenerative science.

Mir155 regulates osteogenesis and bone mass phenotype via targeting S1pr1 gene

MicroRNA-155 (miR155) is overexpressed in various inflammatory diseases and cancer, in which bone resorption and osteolysis are frequently observed. However, the role of miR155 on osteogenesis and bone mass phenotype is still unknown. Here, we report a low bone mass phenotype in the long bone of Mir155-Tg mice compared with wild-type mice. In contrast, Mir155-KO mice showed a high bone mass phenotype and protective effect against inflammation-induced bone loss. Mir155-KO mice showed robust bone regeneration in the ectopic and orthotopic model, but Mir155-Tg mice showed compromised bone regeneration compared with the wild-type mice. Similarly, the osteogenic differentiation potential of bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSCs) from Mir155-KO mice was robust and Mir155-Tg was compromised compared with that of wild-type mice. Moreover, Mir155 knockdown in BMSCs from wild-type mice showed higher osteogenic differentiation potential, supporting the results from Mir155-KO mice. TargetScan analysis predicted sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1pr1) as a target gene of Mir155, which was further confirmed by luciferase assay and Mir155 knockdown. S1pr1 overexpression in BMSCs robustly promoted osteogenic differentiation without affecting cell viability and proliferation. Furthermore, osteoclastogenic differentiation of Mir155-Tg bone marrow-derived macrophages was inhibited compared with that of wild-type mice. Thus, Mir155 showed a catabolic effect on osteogenesis and bone mass phenotype via interaction with the S1pr1 gene, suggesting inhibition of Mir155 as a potential strategy for bone regeneration and bone defect healing.

In situ-formed hyaluronan gel/BMP-2/hydroxyapatite composite promotes bone union in refractory fracture model mice

BACKGROUND

A combination of synthetic porous materials and BMP-2 has been used to promote fracture healing. For bone healing to be successful, it is important to use growth factor delivery systems that enable continuous release of BMP-2 at the fracture site. We previously reported that in situ-formed gels (IFGs) consisting of hyaluronan (HyA)-tyramine (TA), horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide enhance the bone formation ability of hydroxyapatite (Hap)/BMP-2 composites in a posterior lumbar fusion model.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the effectiveness of IFGs-HyA/Hap/BMP-2 composites for facilitating osteogenesis in refractory fracture model mice.

METHODS

After establishing the refractory fracture model, animals were either treated at the site of fracture with Hap harboring BMP-2 (Hap/BMP-2) or IFGs-HyA with Hap harboring BMP-2 (IFGs-HyA/Hap/BMP-2) (n = 10 each). Animals that underwent the fracture surgery but did not receive any treatment were considered the control group (n = 10). We determined the extent of bone formation at the fracture site according to findings on micro-computed tomography and histological studies four weeks following treatment.

RESULTS

Animals treated with IFGs-HyA/Hap/BMP-2 demonstrated significantly greater bone volume, bone mineral content and bone union than those treated with vehicle or IFG-HyA/Hap alone.

CONCLUSIONS

IFGs-HyA/Hap/BMP-2 could be an effective treatment option for refractory fractures.

Progress in the application of sustained-release drug microspheres in tissue engineering

Sustained-release drug-loaded microspheres provide a long-acting sustained release, with targeted and other effects. There are many types of sustained-release drug microspheres and various preparation methods, and they are easy to operate. For these reasons, they have attracted widespread interest and are widely used in tissue engineering and other fields. In this paper, we provide a systematic review of the application of sustained-release drug microspheres in tissue engineering. First, we introduce this new type of drug delivery system (sustained-release drug carriers), describe the types of sustained-release drug microspheres, and summarize the characteristics of different microspheres. Second, we summarize the preparation methods of sustained-release drug microspheres and summarize the materials required for preparing microspheres. Third, various applications of sustained-release drug microspheres in tissue engineering are summarized. Finally, we summarize the shortcomings and discuss future prospects in the development of sustained-release drug microspheres. The purpose of this paper was to provide a further systematic understanding of the application of sustained-release drug microspheres in tissue engineering for the personnel engaged in related fields and to provide inspiration and new ideas for studies in related fields.

Development, In-Vitro Characterization and In-Vivo Osteoinductive Efficacy of a Novel Biomimetically-Precipitated Nanocrystalline Calcium Phosphate With Internally-Incorporated Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2

The repair of large-volume bone defects (LVBDs) remains a great challenge in the fields of orthopedics and maxillofacial surgery. Most clinically available bone-defect-filling materials lack proper degradability and efficient osteoinductivity. In this study, we synthesized a novel biomimetically-precipitated nanocrystalline calcium phosphate (BpNcCaP) with internally incorporated bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BpNcCaP + BMP-2) with an aim to develop properly degradable and highly osteoinductive granules to repair LVBDs. We first characterized the physicochemical properties of the granules with different incorporation amounts of BMP-2 using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We evaluated the cytotoxicity and cytocompatibility of BpNcCaP by assessing the viability and adhesion of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts using PrestoBlue assay, Rhodamine-Phalloidin and DAPI staining, respectively. We further assessed the in-vivo osteoinductive efficacy in a subcutaneous bone induction model in rats. In-vitro characterization data showed that the BpNcCaP + BMP-2 granules were comprised of hexagonal hydroxyapatite with an average crystallite size ranging from 19.7 to 25.1 nm and a grain size at 84.13 ± 28.46 nm. The vickers hardness of BpNcCaP was 32.50 ± 3.58 HV 0.025. BpNcCaP showed no obvious cytotoxicity and was favorable for the adhesion of pre-osteoblasts. BMP-2 incorporation rate could be as high as 65.04 ± 6.01%. In-vivo histomorphometric analysis showed that the volume of new bone induced by BpNcCaP exhibited a BMP-2 amount-dependent increasing manner. The BpNcCaP+50 μg BMP-2 exhibited significantly more degradation and fewer foreign body giant cells in comparison with BpNcCaP. These data suggested a promising application potential of BpNcCaP + BMP-2 in repairing LVBDs.

Recent Advances in Multifunctional Hydrogels for the Treatment of Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis (OM), a devastating disease caused by microbial infection of bones, remains a major challenge for orthopedic surgeons. Conventional approaches for prevention and treatment of OM are unsatisfactory. Various alternative strategies have been proposed, among which, hydrogel-based strategies have demonstrated potential due to their unique properties, including loadable, implantable, injectable, printable, degradable, and responsive to stimuli. Several protocols, including different hydrogel designs, selection of antimicrobial agent, co-administration of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP 2), and nanoparticles, have been shown to improve the biological properties, including antimicrobial effects, osteo-induction, and controlled drug delivery. In this review, we describe the current and future directions for designing hydrogels and their applications to improve the biological response to OM in vivo.

Current Understanding of the Applications of Photocrosslinked Hydrogels in Biomedical Engineering

Hydrogel materials have great application value in biomedical engineering. Among them, photocrosslinked hydrogels have attracted much attention due to their variety and simple convenient preparation methods. Here, we provide a systematic review of the biomedical-engineering applications of photocrosslinked hydrogels. First, we introduce the types of photocrosslinked hydrogel monomers, and the methods for preparation of photocrosslinked hydrogels with different morphologies are summarized. Subsequently, various biomedical applications of photocrosslinked hydrogels are reviewed. Finally, some shortcomings and development directions for photocrosslinked hydrogels are considered and proposed. This paper is designed to give researchers in related fields a systematic understanding of photocrosslinked hydrogels and provide inspiration to seek new development directions for studies of photocrosslinked hydrogels or related materials.

Local administration of low doses of exogenous BMP2 and leptin promotes ectopic bone regeneration in leptin-deficient mice

BACKGROUND

Obesity and leptin deficiency are associated with compromised bone regeneration.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the role of locally administrated low-dose BMP2+leptin on bone regeneration in leptin-deficient obese (ob/ob) mice.

METHODS

Wildtype (WT) and ob/ob mice were divided into 3 groups (4 mice/group): BMP2 (5 μg) group, BMP2+low-dose leptin (1 μg) group, and BMP2+high-dose leptin (2.5 μg) group. WT mice were used as control mice. An equal size absorbable collagen sponge was prepared by loading the BMP2 or/and leptin and implanted subcutaneously. After 19 days, samples were collected and analyzed by micro-CT and H&E staining.

RESULTS

No significant difference in bone regeneration among the three groups in WT mice. Quantification of newly formed bone parameters from micro-CT and H&E staining showed that low-dose BMP2 treatment formed less new bone in ob/ob mice compared to WT. BMP2+low-dose leptin treatment substantially rescued the compromised bone regeneration in ob/ob mice up to the level in WT mice. However, the BMP2 and high dose of leptin failed to rescue the compromised bone regeneration in ob/ob mice.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that a combination of the low-dose BMP2 and leptin could be a strategy to promote osteogenesis in obese populations with leptin deficiency.

Recent Advances in Synthetic and Natural Biomaterials-Based Therapy for Bone Defects

Synthetic and natural biomaterials are a promising alternative for the treatment of critical-sized bone defects. Several parameters such as their porosity, surface, and mechanical properties are extensively pointed out as key points to recapitulate the bone microenvironment. Many biomaterials with this pursuit are employed to provide a matrix, which can supply the specific environment and architecture for an adequate bone growth. Nevertheless, some queries remain unanswered. This review discusses the recent advances achieved by some synthetic and natural biomaterials to mimic the native structure of bone and the manufacturing technology applied to obtain biomaterial candidates. The focus of this review is placed in the recent advances in the development of biomaterial-based therapy for bone defects in different types of bone. In this context, this review gives an overview of the potentialities of synthetic and natural biomaterials: polyurethanes, polyesters, hyaluronic acid, collagen, titanium, and silica as successful candidates for the treatment of bone defects.

Bisphosphonate-Conjugated Photo-Crosslinking Polyanionic Hyaluronic Acid Microbeads for Controlled BMP2 Delivery and Enhanced Bone Formation Efficacy

In this study, we designed bisphosphonate-conjugated polyanionic hyaluronic acid (HA) microbeads (MBs) for the controlled delivery of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2). MBs were prepared via the photo-crosslinking of bisphosphonate (alendronate)-conjugated methacrylated HA (Alen-MHA). The polyanionic Alen-MHA MBs actively absorbed cationic BMP2 up to 91.0% of the loading efficacy and displayed a sustained release of BMP2 for 10 days. BMP2/Alen-MHA MBs induced osteogenic-related genes in cellular experiments and showed the highly increased bone formation efficacy in thigh muscle injection and rat spinal fusion animal models. Thus, BMP2/Alen-MHA MBs provide a promising opportunity to improve the delivery efficiency of BMP2.

Acceleration of bone formation using in situ-formed hyaluronan-hydrogel containing bone morphogenetic protein-2 in a mouse critical size bone defect model

BACKGROUND

An enzymatic crosslinking strategy using hydrogen peroxide and horseradish peroxidase is receiving increasing attention for application with in situ-formed hydrogels (IFHGs). IFHGs may also be ideal carrier materials for bone repair, although their ability to carry bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) has yet to be examined.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the effectiveness of an IFHG made of hyaluronan (IFHG-HA) containing BMP2 for promoting bone formation in a mouse critical size bone defect model.

METHODS

C57/BL6J mice received a 2-mm femoral critical-sized bone defect before being randomly assigned to one of the following treatment groups (n = 6): control (no treatment), IFHG-HA only, PBS with BMP2, and IFHG-HA with BMP2. X-ray radiographs were utilized to track new bone formation, and micro-computed tomography and histological examination were performed on new bone formed at the bone defect site two weeks after surgery.

RESULTS

Mice treated with PBS with BMP2 and IFHG-HA with BMP2 had greater bone volume (BV) and bone mineral content (BMC) than those receiving control, and successfully achieved consolidation. Mice treated with IFHG-HA with BMP2 had significantly higher BV and BMC than those treated with PBS with BMP2.

CONCLUSIONS

IFHG-HA may be an effective carrier for BMP2 to enable delivery for bone defect repair.

Biopolymer-based Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications

Tissue engineering is governed by the use of cells and polymers. The cells may be accounted for the type of tissue to be targeted, while polymers may vary from natural to synthetic. The natural polymers have advantages such as non-immunogenic and complex structures that help in the formation of bonds in comparison to the synthetic ones. Various targeted drug delivery systems have been prepared using polymers and cells, such as nanoparticles, hydrogels, nanofibers, and microspheres. The design of scaffolds depends on the negative impact of material used on the human body and they have been prepared using surface modification technique or neo material synthesis. The dermal substitutes are a distinctive array that aims at the replacement of skin parts either through grafting or some other means. This review focuses on biomaterials for their use in tissue engineering. This article shall provide the bird's eye view of the scaffolds and dermal substitutes, which are naturally derived.

Induced Experimental Periimplantitis and Periodontitis: What are the Differences in the Inflammatory Response ?

This preliminary study investigates the differences between experimental periodontitis and periimplantitis in a dog model, with a focus on the histopathology, the inflammatory responses and specific immunoregulatory activities, driven by Th1/Th2 positive cells. Twelve dental implants were inserted into the edentulated posterior mandibles of six Beagle dogs and were given twelve weeks time for osseointegration. Experimental periimplantitis and periodontitis (first mandible molar) was then induced using cotton-floss ligatures. Twelve weeks later, alveolar bones were quantitated by cone beam-computer tomography. Histopathological analysis of the inflamed gingiva and of the periodontal tissues was performed by light microscopy, and the Th1/ Th2 cell populations were investigated by flow cytometry. Periimplantitis as well as periodontitis were both found to be associated with pronounced bone resorption effects, both to a similar degree vertically, but with a differential bone resorption pattern mesio-distally, and with a significantly higher and consistent bone resorption result in periimplantitis; however, with a higher variance of bone resorption in periodontitis. The histological appearances of the inflammatory tissues were identical. The percentages of Th1/ Th2 cells in the inflamed gingival tissues of both experimental periimplantitis and periodontitis were also found to be similar. Experimental periodontitis and periimplantitis in the dog model show essentially the same cellular pathology of inflammation. However, bone resorption was found to be significantly higher in periimplantitis; the histopathological changes in the periodontal tissues were similar in both groups, but showed a higher inter-individual variation in periodontitis, and appeared more uniform in periimplantitis. This preliminary study indicates that more focused experimental in-vivo inflammation models need to be developed to better simulate the human pathology in the two different diseases, and in order to have a valuable tool to investigate more specifically how novel treatments/prevention approaches may heal the differential adverse effects on bone tissue and on periodontium in periodontitis and in periimplantitis.

Acceleration of bone union by in situ-formed hydrogel containing bone morphogenetic protein-2 in a mouse refractory fracture model

Background

An enzymatic crosslinking strategy using hydrogen peroxide and horseradish peroxidase is receiving increasing attention for application with in situ-formed hydrogels (IFHs). Several studies have reported the application of IFHs in cell delivery and tissue engineering. IFHs may also be ideal carrier materials for bone repair, although their potential as a carrier for bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 has yet to be examined. Here, we examined the effect of an IFH made of hyaluronic acid (IFH-HA) containing BMP-2 in promoting osteogenesis in a mouse refractory fracture model.

Methods

Immediately following a fracture procedure, animals either received no treatment (control) or an injection of IFH-HA/PBS or IFH-HA containing 2 μg BMP-2 (IFH-HA/BMP-2) into the fracture site (n = 16, each treatment).

Results

Fracture sites injected with IFH-HA/BMP-2 showed significantly greater bone volume, bone mineral content, and bone union compared with sites receiving no treatment or treated with IFH-HA/PBS alone (each n = 10). Gene expression levels of osteogenic markers, Alpl, Bglap, and Osx, were significantly raised in the IFH-HA/BMP-2 group compared to the IFH-HA/PBS and control groups (each n = 6).

Conclusion

IFH-HA/BMP-2 may contribute to the treatment of refractory fractures.

Human salivary histatin-1 (Hst1) promotes bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2)-induced osteogenesis and angiogenesis

Large‐volume bone defects can result from congenital malformation, trauma, infection, inflammation and cancer. At present, it remains challenging to treat these bone defects with clinically available interventions. Allografts, xenografts and most synthetic materials have no intrinsic osteoinductivity, and so an alternative approach is to functionalize the biomaterial with osteoinductive agents, such as bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2). Because it has been previously demonstrated that human salivary histatin‐1 (Hst1) promotes endothelial cell adhesion, migration and angiogenesis, we examine here whether Hst1 can promote BMP2‐induced bone regeneration. Rats were given subcutaneous implants of absorbable collagen sponge membranes seeded with 0, 50, 200 or 500 μg Hst1 per sample and 0 or 2 μg BMP2 per sample. At 18 days postsurgery, rats were sacrificed, and implanted regional tissue was removed for micro computed tomography (microCT) analyses of new bone (bone volume, trabecular number and trabecular separation). Four samples per group were decalcified and subjected to immunohistochemical staining to analyze osteogenic and angiogenic markers. We observed that Hst1 increased BMP2‐induced new bone formation in a dose‐dependent manner. Co‐administration of 500 μg Hst1 and BMP2 resulted in the highest observed bone volume and trabecular number, the lowest trabecular separation and the highest expression of osteogenic markers and angiogenic markers. Our results suggest that coadministration of Hst1 may enhance BMP2‐induced osteogenesis and angiogenesis, and thus may have potential for development into a treatment for large‐volume bone defects.

Role of hyaluronan in regulating self-renewal and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells and pre-osteoblasts

Objectives

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of two hyaluronan (HA) formulations on the osteogenic potential of osteoblast precursors.

Materials and methods

Proliferation rates of HA-treated mesenchymal stromal ST2 and pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were determined by 5-bromo-20-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assay. Expression of genes encoding osteogenic differentiation markers, critical growth, and stemness factors as well as activation of downstream signaling pathways in the HA-treated cells were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunoblot techniques.

Results

The investigated HAs strongly stimulated the growth of the osteoprogenitor lines and enhanced the expression of genes encoding bone matrix proteins. However, expression of late osteogenic differentiation markers was significantly inhibited, accompanied by decreased bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. The expression of genes encoding transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) as well as the phosphorylation of the downstream signaling molecules Smad2 and Erk1/2 were enhanced upon HA treatment. We observed significant upregulation of the transcription factor Sox2 and its direct transcription targets and critical stemness genes, Yap1 and Bmi1, in HA-treated cells. Moreover, prominent targets of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway showed reduced expression, whereas inhibitors of the pathway were considerably upregulated. We detected decrease of active β-catenin levels in HA-treated cells due to β-catenin being phosphorylated and, thus, targeted for degradation.

Conclusions

HA strongly induces the growth of osteoprogenitors and maintains their stemness, thus potentially regulating the balance between self-renewal and differentiation during bone regeneration following reconstructive oral surgeries.

Clinical relevance

Addition of HA to deficient bone or bony defects during implant or reconstructive periodontal surgeries may be a viable approach for expanding adult stem cells without losing their replicative and differentiation capabilities.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00784-020-03259-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Glycosaminoglycans from fresh water fish processing discard - Isolation, structural characterization, and osteogenic activity

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) play an important role in various biological activities. A lot of them are present in fish processing discards from abattoirs and fish processing industries which can serve as a valuable source of GAGs. We have, in this paper, isolated and characterized GAGs from fish processing discard (head) generated from the processing of Labeo rohita (L. rohita) and Piaractus brachypomus (P. brachypomus) and have determined their ability to promote osteogenic activity. Isolated GAGs showed higher amounts of chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS) than heparan sulfate (HS). CS/DS from both the fish have a distinct disaccharide composition indicating differences in their structure. Biological activity, in terms of promoting osteogenesis, evaluated in MC3T3-E1 cells and primary cells of the calvaria showed that early mineralization, characterized by alkaline phosphatase staining and activity, and late mineralization, was supported by both the GAGs.

Physicochemical, antioxidant properties of giant croaker (Nibea japonica) swim bladders collagen and wound healing evaluation

Acid-solubilized collagen (ASC) and pepsin-solubilized collagen (PSC) were obtained from Nibea japonica swim bladders. The denaturation temperature (Td) of ASC and PSC was approximately 33.8 °C. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses indicated that ASC and PSC contained triple-helical type I collagen when compared to rat tail collagen type I. Moreover, the microstructure of collagen sponges was uniform and porous. In addition, ASC and PSC exhibited antioxidant properties and in vitro scratch assays showed that PSC at various concentrations (0, 12.5, 25, and 50 μg/mL) had significant effects on the scratch closure rate. Furthermore, collagen sponge from Nibea japonica swim bladders exhibited an increased efficacy of wound healing when compared to the control mice. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the collagen sponge treated mice were significantly decreased when compared to the control group. Thus, our results suggested that collagen sponge from Nibea japonica swim bladders has potential wound healing applications.

Thinking Green: Sustainable Polymers from Renewable Resources

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