Electrospun artificial periosteum loaded with DFO contributes to osteogenesis via the TGF-β1/Smad2 pathway

Deferoxamine (DFO), an iron chelator regarded as a hypoxic analogue, has been reported to be involved in angiogenesis and osteogenic differentiation. In this study, DFO was loaded into nanospheres, Then, DFO-loaded NPs and free DFO were co-encapsulated in nanofibers through coaxial electrospinning and its effects on cell viability, migration, and osteogenic differentiation, and the potential mechanisms were investigated. The results suggested that DFO maintained cell viability and promoted the migration of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and MC3T3-E1 cells. ALP activity, calcium deposition, and expression of osteogenesis-related markers, including collagen, osteocalcin, and osteopontin, were all increased with DFO. Moreover, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, transforming growth factor-β, and Smad2 were upregulated with DFO, which indicated activation of the TGF-β1/Smad2 signalling pathway. This may contribute to osteogenic differentiation of cells.