Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Site-Directed Immobilization of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 to Solid Surfaces by Click Chemistry
11:20

Site-Directed Immobilization of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 to Solid Surfaces by Click Chemistry

Published on: March 29, 2018

Advanced bone-targeted nanomaterials for the systemic treatment of osteoporosis

Wenwen Fan1, Pinzhuo Wu1, Changsheng Liu1

  • 1Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Engineering Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.

Regenerative Biomaterials
|May 21, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Targeted polymeric nanoparticles offer a novel approach to osteoporosis treatment by enhancing bone repair. These nanomedicines improve drug delivery, modulate the bone microenvironment, and restore mitochondrial homeostasis for better bone metabolism.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Skeletal Biology

Background:

  • Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by low bone density and microstructural deterioration, increasing fracture risk.
  • Current pharmacological treatments for osteoporosis have limitations, including poor efficacy at vertebral sites and systemic side effects.
  • Nanotechnology presents an opportunity to improve drug delivery and bioavailability for osteoporosis treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review cellular mechanisms of osteoporosis pathogenesis.
  • To critique the limitations of current osteoporosis therapies.
  • To highlight advancements in targeted nanomedicines for osteoporosis treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Focus on bone-targeting polymeric nanoparticle systems.
  • Analysis of mechanisms promoting bone repair via nanomedicines.
  • Synthesis of cellular-level insights and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Polymeric nanoparticles enable targeted drug delivery to bone tissue.
  • These nanomedicines modulate the bone microenvironment and dual-regulate osteoblasts and osteoclasts.
  • Nanotherapeutic strategies enhance bone metabolism and restore mitochondrial homeostasis.

Conclusions:

  • Bone-targeting polymeric nanoparticles show transformative potential for osteoporosis treatment.
  • These nanomedicines offer innovative directions for developing advanced regenerative biomaterials.
  • Nanotechnology enhances bone repair through multiple targeted mechanisms.
Keywords:
bone remodelingbone targetingnanomedicineosteoporosissystemic administration

More Related Videos

Semiautomated Longitudinal Microcomputed Tomography-based Quantitative Structural Analysis of a Nude Rat Osteoporosis-related Vertebral Fracture Model07:12

Semiautomated Longitudinal Microcomputed Tomography-based Quantitative Structural Analysis of a Nude Rat Osteoporosis-related Vertebral Fracture Model

Published on: September 28, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted01:24

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted

Site-targeted drug delivery systems enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity and treatment costs. Unlike conventional methods, these systems ensure precise drug delivery, improving bioavailability and reducing side effects. Targeted drug delivery is classified into three levels. First-order targeting directs drugs to the capillary beds of specific organs or tissues. Second-order targets specific cell types, such as tumor cells, using receptor-mediated interactions.
Bone Remodeling and Repair01:31

Bone Remodeling and Repair

Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...
Bone Remodeling01:40

Bone Remodeling

Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
Essential Minerals for Bone Health01:31

Essential Minerals for Bone Health

The minerals contained in all of the food we consume are essential for our organ systems. However, certain essential minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and fluoride, largely affect bone health.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...