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Engineering bone regeneration with novel cell-laden hydrogel microfiber-injectable calcium phosphate scaffold
Yang Song1, Chi Zhang2, Ping Wang3
1Department of Prosthodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Department of Endodontics, Periodontics and Prosthodontics, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Summary
This study developed an injectable bone scaffold using calcium phosphate cement (CPC) and cell-laden hydrogel microfibers. This novel material effectively delivers cells for bone regeneration, showing significant new bone formation in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Cell-based tissue engineering offers a promising approach for creating functional tissues for bone regeneration.
- Effective cell delivery and viability within scaffolds are crucial for successful bone regeneration.
- Current methods face challenges in achieving uniform cell distribution, timely release, and sustained cell viability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an injectable calcium phosphate cement (CPC) scaffold incorporating cell-encapsulating hydrogel microfibers.
- To optimize the degradation rate of alginate-fibrin microfibers (Alg-Fb MF) for enhanced cell delivery and viability.
- To evaluate the efficacy of the engineered construct for bone regeneration in vitro and in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Partially-oxidized alginate was combined with varying fibrinogen concentrations (0-0.8%) to create Alg-Fb MF with tunable degradation rates.
- The optimal Alg-Fb MF (0.4% fibrinogen) was mixed with CPC paste (1:1 ratio) to form an injectable tissue-engineered construct.
- In vitro studies assessed cell migration, release, proliferation, viability, and osteogenic potential.
- In vivo studies implanted the construct in rat mandibular defects to evaluate bone regeneration capacity.
Main Results:
- A fibrinogen concentration of 0.4% in Alg-Fb MF significantly enhanced cell migration, release, and proliferation.
- The injectable CPC-MF construct maintained cell viability and osteogenic potential in vitro.
- In vivo, the hBMSC-encapsulated CPC-MF construct demonstrated robust bone regeneration, forming an osseous bridge.
- At 12 weeks, the new bone area fraction in the defect was (42.1±7.8)%, over threefold that of the control group.
Conclusions:
- The developed injectable CPC-MF scaffold effectively delivers cells and promotes bone regeneration.
- The tunable degradation of Alg-Fb MF is key to optimizing cell behavior and delivery.
- This novel tissue-engineered construct shows significant potential for dental, craniofacial, and orthopedic applications.