Reinforced Blood-Derived Protein Hydrogels Enable Dual-Level Regulation of Bio-Physiochemical Microenvironments for...

Physiological microenvironment engineering has shown great promise in combating a variety of diseases. Herein, we present the rational design of reinforced and injectable blood-derived protein hydrogels (PDA@SiO₂-PRF) composed of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), polydopamine (PDA), and SiO₂ nanofibers that can act as dual-level regulators to engineer the microenvironment for personalized bone regeneration with high efficacy. From the biophysical level, PDA@SiO₂-PRF with high stiffness can withstand the external loading and maintaining the space for bone regeneration in bone defects. Particularly, the reinforced structure of PDA@SiO₂-PRF provides bone extracellular matrix (ECM)-like functions to stimulate osteoblast differentiation via Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling pathway. From the biochemical level, the PDA component in PDA@SiO₂-PRF hinders the fast degradation of PRF to release autologous growth factors in a sustained manner, providing sustained osteogenesis capacity. Overall, the present study offers a dual-level strategy for personalized bone regeneration by engineering the biophysiochemical microenvironment to realize enhanced osteogenesis efficacy.