Alendronate-Based Polypeptide Hydrogels with Osteogenic Potential for Digital Light Processing

In this work, we present an alendronate star polypeptide formulation capable of digital light processing high-resolution 3D hydrogel structures. Through the use of embedded bisphosphonate moieties from the alendronate, which has a high affinity for divalent calcium (Ca²⁺) ions, a second ionic network is introduced within the hydrogel. A significant enhancement of hydrogel mechanical properties is observed, reaching Young's modulus values toward those observed for native bone. Furthermore, the presence of Ca²⁺ supports mineralization, fostering osteogenesis in seeded rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs), indicating the potential to promote effective bone tissue regeneration.