Engineering Multifunctional Hydrogel With Osteogenic Capacity for Critical-Size Segmental Bone Defect Repair

Abstract

Treating critical-size segmental bone defects is an arduous challenge in clinical work. Preparation of bone graft substitutes with notable osteoinductive properties is a feasible strategy for critical-size bone defects. Herein, a biocompatible hydrogel was designed by dynamic supramolecular assembly of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), sodium tetraborate (Na2B4O7), and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). The characteristics of the supramolecular hydrogel were evaluated by rheological analysis, swelling ratio, degradation experiments, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In in vitro experiments, this TEOS-hydrogel had self-healing property, low swelling rate, degradability, good biocompatibility, and induced osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) by upregulating the expression of Runx-2, Col-1, OCN, and osteopontin (OPN). In segmental bone defect rabbit models, the TEOS-containing hydrogel accelerated bone regeneration, thus restoring the continuity of bone and recanalization of the medullary cavity. The abovementioned results demonstrated that this TEOS-hydrogel has the potential to realize bone healing in critical-size segmental bone defects.

Functional hydrogels for the repair and regeneration of tissue defects

“…Therefore, it is necessary to develop a restorative material that can be used for irregular defects ( Huang B. et al, 2022 ; Gao et al, 2022 ). Shaowei Zheng et al (2022) designed a composite hydrogel based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), sodium tetraborate (Na2B4O7) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). This hydrogel not only has excellent rheological properties and mechanical strength but also accelerates bone reconstruction and healing, which has great potential in the treatment of critical-size segmental bone defects.…”

Applications of Degradable Hydrogels in Novel Approaches to Disease Treatment and New Modes of Drug Delivery

“…However, the volume of the donor site limits the application of bone auto-transplantation [69]. To improve the healing efficiency of segmental bone defects, Zheng [70] et al developed a novel multifunctional hydrogel (Figure 7). This hydrogel was prepared by dynamic supramolecular assembly using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), sodium tetraborate (Na 2 B 4 O 7 ), and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as raw materials.…”

“…This prolongs the effect of drugs and reduces the interval between doses, and due to its degradability, it also avoids the problem of poor patient compliance caused by removal. Many of the examples described above overlap with indwelling in vivo and will not be restated [65,70,78,90]. Biodegradable hydrogels have the potential to be developed into a variety of novel delivery forms due to their degradability and biocompatibility, though more novel delivery forms still need to be explored by researchers.…”

Macro, Micro, and Nano-Inspired Bioactive Polymeric Biomaterials in Therapeutic, and Regenerative Orofacial Applications

“… [ 256 ] Multifunctional hydrogel using sodium tetraborate (Na2B4O7), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS as a bone induction factor Porous Ti (pTi) Biocompatible three-dimensional (3D) composite devices boosted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and differentiation potential while inhibiting bacterial growth. [ 210 , 257 ] BMP2/PLGA/vancomycin/CS hydrogel Rapid release of vancomycin for the first two days, followed by continuous release of rhBMP-2 for roughly 12 days Promotes Osseo integration as a coating around dental implants. [ 258 ] Keratin hydrogel Dental Ti implants Enhanced Osseo integration.…”