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Published on: August 8, 2022
Injectable alendronate-functionalized GelMA hydrogels for mineralization and osteogenesis
Lei Liu1,2, Xiaoyu Li1,2, Xuetao Shi1,2
1National Engineering Research Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510006 PR China.
Alendronate-modified gelatin methacryloyl hydrogels enhance bone healing. These novel biomaterials promote osteogenic differentiation and mineralization, showing promise for treating bone defects via minimally invasive procedures.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Hydrogels are injectable biomaterials used for drug delivery and tissue repair.
- Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) is a versatile hydrogel precursor.
- Alendronate (ALN) is a bisphosphonate known for its bone-targeting and mineralization-promoting properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize alendronate-functionalized GelMA (GelMA-ALN) hydrogels.
- To evaluate the effect of GelMA-ALN hydrogels on *in vitro* osteogenic differentiation of human bone cells (hFOB).
- To assess the potential of GelMA-ALN hydrogels for minimally invasive treatment of bone defects.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of GelMA-ALN hydrogels with varying alendronate concentrations.
- Characterization of hydrogel properties including swelling ratio, protein adsorption, and mineralization.
- Assessment of *in vitro* osteogenic differentiation of hFOB cells, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralization assays, and gene/protein expression analysis.
- Evaluation of cell viability and differentiation within encapsulated hydrogels.
Main Results:
- GelMA-ALN hydrogels exhibited improved swelling ratio, protein adsorption, and mineralization compared to unmodified GelMA.
- Significant promotion of *in vitro* osteogenic differentiation of hFOB cells was observed, evidenced by increased ALP activity and denser mineralization.
- Up-regulation of osteogenesis-related genes and proteins was detected at both mRNA and protein levels.
- Encapsulated hFOB cells maintained viability and successfully differentiated into osteoblasts within the GelMA-ALN hydrogels.
Conclusions:
- Alendronate modification enhances the osteogenic potential of GelMA hydrogels.
- GelMA-ALN hydrogels support cell viability and osteogenic differentiation, making them suitable for bone tissue engineering.
- These alendronate-modified hydrogels show significant potential for minimally invasive treatment strategies for irregular bone defects.
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