Surface biofunctionalization of β-TCP blocks using aptamer 74 for bone tissue engineering.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Bone regeneration in oral and maxillofacial surgery requires effective strategies to recruit osteogenic progenitor cells.
• Jaw periosteal cells (JPCs) are crucial for bone formation, and aptamer 74 has shown affinity for osteogenically induced JPCs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To biofunctionalize beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) surfaces with aptamer 74 for enhanced osteogenic cell interactions.
• To evaluate the effect of aptamer 74 immobilization on JPC adhesion, proliferation, and mineralization on β-TCP constructs.

Main Methods:

• Surface functionalization of β-TCP blocks with aptamer 74.
• Atomic force microscopy (AFM) to assess aptamer binding activity.
• QuantiFluor ssDNA assay and amino acid analysis to determine immobilization efficiency.
• In vitro cell culture assays to evaluate JPC proliferation, adhesion, and mineralization.

Main Results:

• Aptamer 74 demonstrated increased binding to osteogenically induced JPCs.
• No significant difference in cell proliferation was observed between aptamer-functionalized and unmodified surfaces.
• Significantly higher JPC mineralization occurred on 2D aptamer-functionalized surfaces.
• Enhanced JPC adhesion was detected on 3D aptamer-functionalized β-TCP constructs.

Conclusions:

• A biocompatible β-TCP matrix functionalized with aptamer 74 enhances JPC adhesion on 3D constructs and mineralization on 2D surfaces.
• This functionalized β-TCP shows potential for improving bone regeneration strategies in oral and maxillofacial applications.
• Further research is needed to optimize aptamer immobilization and JPC mineralization within 3D constructs.