Ultrasound-Driven Selenium Nanoparticles Realize Bone Defect Repair through Activating Selenoproteins to Regulate...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Bone defect repair is hindered by excessive and variable inflammation.
• A need exists for advanced therapeutic strategies to manage the inflammatory microenvironment during bone healing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an ultrasound-controlled composite hydrogel (LNT-SeNPs@Gel) for enhanced bone defect repair.
• To investigate the dual functions of ultrasound (modulation and repair) in conjunction with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nanoparticles.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a composite hydrogel integrating gelatin-methacryloyl and lentinan-decorated selenium nanoparticles (LNT-SeNPs).
• Application of bifunctional ultrasound: ultrasound modulation (USc) for anti-inflammatory effects and ultrasound for repairing (USr) for osteogenesis.
• In vivo evaluation of the hydrogel and ultrasound system in a rat model of bone defects.

Main Results:

• The LNT-SeNPs@Gel hydrogel demonstrated potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, remodeling the bone defect microenvironment.
• USc effectively regulated LNT-SeNPs release, inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory factors.
• USr activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, enhancing osteogenesis and accelerating bone repair.

Conclusions:

• The combination of bifunctional ultrasound and the LNT-SeNPs@Gel hydrogel significantly improves bone repair outcomes in rats.
• This integrated approach offers a promising strategy for managing complex bone defects by coordinating anti-inflammatory and osteogenic effects.
• The study highlights the potential of dual-action ultrasound in reducing the overall treatment period for bone regeneration.