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Updated: Sep 2, 2025
Fabrication of Size-Controlled and Emulsion-Free Chitosan-Genipin Microgels for Tissue Engineering Applications
Published on: April 13, 2022
MicroRNA-29b/graphene oxide-polyethyleneglycol-polyethylenimine complex incorporated within chitosan hydrogel
Han Qin1,2,3, Yujie Ji1,2,3, Guangyue Li1,2,3
1College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a pivotal role in regulating a number of physiologic and pathologic processes including bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) osteogenic differentiation, making them a candidate used to promote osteogenesis. However, due to intrinsic structure and characteristics, "naked" miRNAs are unstable in serum and could not pass across the cellular membrane. Nano delivery systems seem to be a solution to these issues. Recently, graphene oxide (GO)-based nanomaterials are considered to be promising for gene delivery due to their unique physiochemical characteristics such as high surface area, biocompatibility, and easy modification. In this work, a GO-based nanocomplex functionalized by polyethyleneglycol (PEG) and polyethylenimine (PEI) was prepared for loading and delivering miR-29b, which participates in multiple steps of bone formation. The nanocomplex revealed good biocompatibility, miRNA loading capacity, and transfection efficiency. The miR-29b/GO-PEG-PEI nanocomplex was capsulated into chitosan (CS) hydrogel for osteogenesis. In vitro and in vivo evaluation indicated that miR-29b/GO-PEG-PEI@CS composite hydrogel was able to promote BMSC osteogenic differentiation and bone regeneration. All these results indicate that PEG/PEI functionalized GO could serve as a promising candidate for miRNA cellular delivery, and the miR-29b/GO-PEG-PEI@CS hydrogel has the potential for repairing bone defects in vivo.
Insights
This study developed a novel graphene oxide (GO) nanocomplex to deliver microRNA-29b (miR-29b) for enhanced bone regeneration. The miR-29b/GO-PEG-PEI composite hydrogel effectively promoted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) osteogenic differentiation and bone repair in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) osteogenic differentiation.
- Unmodified miRNAs are unstable and cannot efficiently cross cell membranes, limiting their therapeutic use.
- Graphene oxide (GO)-based nanomaterials offer a promising platform for gene delivery due to their unique properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a functionalized GO-based nanocomplex for efficient delivery of miR-29b.
- To evaluate the potential of miR-29b loaded into a chitosan (CS) hydrogel for promoting osteogenesis and bone regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of a polyethyleneglycol (PEG) and polyethylenimine (PEI) functionalized GO nanocomplex for miR-29b loading.
- Encapsulation of the miR-29b/GO-PEG-PEI nanocomplex into a chitosan (CS) hydrogel.
- In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the composite hydrogel's efficacy in promoting BMSC osteogenic differentiation and bone regeneration.
Main Results:
- The GO-PEG-PEI nanocomplex demonstrated good biocompatibility, miRNA loading capacity, and transfection efficiency.
- The miR-29b/GO-PEG-PEI@CS composite hydrogel successfully promoted BMSC osteogenic differentiation.
- In vivo studies confirmed the hydrogel's ability to enhance bone regeneration.
Conclusions:
- Functionalized GO serves as a promising carrier for miRNA delivery.
- The miR-29b/GO-PEG-PEI@CS hydrogel holds significant potential for treating bone defects through enhanced osteogenesis and regeneration.
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