Composite biomaterials
with hierarchical structures have emerged
as new approaches for bone-tissue engineering. In this study, a biomimetic,
osteoconductive tricomposite scaffold made of N-doped graphene–hydroxyapatite
(NG–HA) hybrids blended with an agarose (AG) matrix was prepared
via a facile hydrothermal/cross-linking/freeze-drying method. The
structure and composition of AG/NG–HA were examined by scanning
electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction,
Fourier transform infrared, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric
analysis. The as-prepared scaffolds showed hierarchical pore architecture
and an organic–inorganic composition, which simulated the composition
and structure of natural bone tissue. The effect of AG/NG–HA
on bone mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) osteoblast proliferation, differentiation,
and mineralization was tested in vitro. The expression of osteogenic-related
genes was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our results
showed that the introduction of N-graphene into the hybrid scaffold
significantly improved its mechanical properties, an effect that promoted
the proliferation and viability of MSCs. Moreover, the scaffolds triggered
selective differentiation of MSCs to osteogenic lineage while conferring
good cell adhesion, enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity, and mineralization.
A distal femoral condyle critical size defect in rabbits was used
as a platform to confirm the effect of AG/NG–HA on bone regeneration
in vivo. Our experiments show that the AG/NG–HA hybrid scaffolds
provided a favorable environment for new bone formation. The results
presented in this study suggest that the AG/NG–HA hybrid scaffolds
have potential in bone-tissue regeneration engineering.