Biomimetic nanofibrous hybrid hydrogel membranes with sustained growth factor release for guided bone regeneration

Bone regeneration, a complex physiological process, remains a challenge due to the susceptibility to the environment and absence of osteogenic growth factors around the defect region. Although autologous bone grafting is regarded as the gold standard for bone defect treatment, guided bone regeneration membranes in combination with multiple functional growth factors show a striking regeneration effect. Here, a biomimetic nanofibrous hybrid hydrogel composed of bacterial cellulose membranes and alginate/CaCl2 for sustained growth factor delivery was developed. The antibacterial peptide beta-defensin 2 served as an antibacterial, osteogenic, and angiogenic growth factor and was loaded into the aforementioned hydrogel. The mechanical and physical properties of the biomimetic nanofibrous hybrid hydrogel were investigated. Then, the in vitro osteogenic and angiogenic differentiation was confirmed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, Alizarin Red S staining, qPCR, western blot analysis and tube formation assays. After implantation into a rat calvarial defect model for 12 weeks, nanofibrous hybrid hydrogel membranes could adhere to the defect surface and promote new bone and vessel regeneration.