Photoactivated Hydrogel Therapeutic System with MXene-Based Nanoarchitectonics Potentiates Endogenous Bone Repair...

The repair and reconstruction of large-scale bone defects face enormous challenges because of the failure to reconstruct the osteo-vascularization network. Herein, a near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive hydrogel system is reported to achieve programmed tissue repair and regeneration through the synergetic effects of on-demand drug delivery and mild heat stimulation. The spatiotemporal hydrogel system (HG/MPa) composed of polydopamine-coated Ti₃C₂T_x MXene (MP) nanosheets decorated with acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF, a potent angiogenic drug) and hydroxypropyl chitosan/gelatin (HG) hydrogel is developed to orchestrate the reconstruction of the osteo-vascularization network and boost bone regeneration. Upon exposure to NIR light irradiation, the engineered HG/MPa hydrogel can achieve the initial complete release of aFGF to induce rapid angiogenesis and provide sufficient blood supply, maximizing its biofunction in the defect area. This integrated hydrogel system demonstrated good therapeutic efficacy in promoting cell adhesion, proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and osteogenic differentiation through periodic NIR irradiation. In vivo, animal experiments further revealed that the spatiotemporalized hydrogel platform synergized with mild photothermal treatment significantly accelerated critical-sized bone defect healing by increasing the osteo-vascularization network density, recruiting endogenous stem cells, and facilitating the production of osteogenesis/angiogenesis-related factors. Overall, smart-responsive hydrogel could enhance the reconstruction of the osteo-vascularization network in bone regeneration.