Multifunctional fibrous scaffolds for bone regeneration with enhanced vascularization
Chong Wang1, William Weijia Lu2, Min Wang3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. memwang@hku.hk and School of Mechanical Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Songshan Lake, Dongguan, Guangdong, China.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|December 13, 2019
Summary
Novel electrospun scaffolds containing growth factors and nanoparticles promote bone regeneration. These engineered tissues enhance both bone formation and vascularization, showing great potential for tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Three-dimensional electrospun fibrous structures mimic the extracellular matrix, offering high surface area for tissue engineering scaffolds.
- Successful bone regeneration necessitates both osteogenesis (bone formation) and vascularization (blood vessel formation).
- Developing scaffolds with combined osteogenic and angiogenic potential is crucial for effective bone repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create tricomponent fibrous scaffolds incorporating recombinant human vein endothelial growth factor (rhVEGF), recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), and calcium phosphate (Ca-P) nanoparticles.
- To achieve sequential growth factor release, with rapid rhVEGF release and sustained rhBMP-2 release.
- To evaluate the angiogenic and osteogenic potential of these scaffolds both in vitro and in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of tricomponent scaffolds using a novel multi-source, multi-power electrospinning technique.
- In vitro assessment of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration and tube formation.
- In vitro evaluation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (hBMSC) osteogenic differentiation and mineralization.
- In vivo implantation of scaffolds into mouse cranial defects for 8 weeks.
Main Results:
- The tricomponent scaffolds demonstrated enhanced HUVEC migration and tube formation, indicating angiogenic potential.
- Significant up-regulation of hBMSC osteogenic differentiation and mineralization was observed, confirming osteogenic potential.
- In vivo studies showed substantial new bone regeneration and newly formed capillaries in the implanted scaffolds.
- Sequential release of rhVEGF and rhBMP-2 was successfully achieved, controlling growth factor delivery.
Conclusions:
- The developed tricomponent scaffolds possess balanced angiogenic-osteogenic properties, crucial for effective bone regeneration.
- These scaffolds significantly enhance osteogenesis in vivo, coupled with necessary vascularization.
- The findings highlight the considerable potential of these advanced scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration applications.
