Injectable methylcellulose hydrogel containing calcium phosphate nanoparticles for bone regeneration

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Injectable hydrogels are crucial for minimally invasive bone defect repair.
• Developing composite hydrogels with enhanced osteoconductivity is an active research area.
• Methylcellulose (MC) hydrogels offer tunable properties but require functionalization for bone regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize an injectable methylcellulose-CaP NPs composite hydrogel for bone tissue regeneration.
• To evaluate the in vitro biocompatibility and in vivo osteogenic potential of the novel hydrogel.
• To investigate the influence of calcium phosphate nanoparticle crystalline phases on hydrogel properties.

Main Methods:

• In situ formation of methylcellulose hydrogel with in situ synthesized calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaP NPs).
• Characterization using rheometry, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD).
• In vitro studies with mesenchymal stem cells and in vivo bone regeneration assessments.

Main Results:

• The injectable MC-CaP NPs composite hydrogel exhibited suitable injectability at body temperature.
• XRD confirmed the in situ synthesized CaP NPs had a hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystalline phase.
• In vitro tests demonstrated good biocompatibility with mesenchymal stem cells.
• In vivo studies showed enhanced new mature bone regeneration in the MC-HAP NPs hydrogel compared to pure MC hydrogel.

Conclusions:

• Injectable methylcellulose-hydroxyapatite nanoparticle composite hydrogel is biocompatible and osteoconductive.
• The developed hydrogel demonstrates significant potential as a scaffold for bone tissue regeneration.
• This novel biomaterial offers a promising solution for treating bone defects.