Field-ridge structured bioactive Zn-based scaffold promotes bone regeneration via cellular mechanotransduction

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Orthopedic Engineering

Background:

• Large bone defects hinder healing due to poor osteoinductive environments.
• Novel biomimetic scaffolds are needed to enhance bone regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a Zn-based biomimetic scaffold (OCS) for enhanced bone defect repair.
• To investigate the osteogenic potential of the scaffold's unique architecture and composition.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of 3D-printed Zn-0.4Li porous scaffolds with groove-ridge textures using laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF).
• In vitro assessment of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) behavior, mechanotransduction signaling, and epigenetic changes.
• In vivo evaluation in a rabbit critical-sized calvarial defect model.

Main Results:

• The OCS promoted BMSC adhesion, spreading, and osteogenic differentiation via mechanotransduction and epigenetic modulation.
• In vivo studies showed accelerated new bone formation and osseointegration in calvarial defects.
• The scaffold demonstrated synergistic osteogenic effects from Zn/Li ions and structural design.

Conclusions:

• The Osteogenic Conditioning Scaffold (OCS) offers a promising strategy for large bone defect repair.
• The L-PBF fabrication method enables precise control over scaffold architecture for enhanced bioactivity.
• The combination of metallic ions and biomimetic textures drives osteogenesis and osseointegration.