Photoelectric-Responsive Extracellular Matrix for Bone Engineering

Abstract

Using noninvasive stimulation of cells to control cell fate and improve bone regeneration by optical stimulation can achieve the aim of precisely orchestrating biological activities. In this study, we create a fast and repeatable photoelectric-responsive microenvironment around an implant using a bismuth sulfide/hydroxyapatite (BS/HAp) film. The unexpected increase of photocurrent on the BS/HAp film under near-infrared (NIR) light is mainly due to the depletion of holes through PO 4 3− from HAp and interfacial charge transfer by HAp compared with BS. The electrons activate the Na + channel of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and change the cell adhesion in the intermediate environment. The behavior of MSCs is tuned by changing the photoelectronic microenvironment. RNA sequencing reveals that when photoelectrons transfer to the cell membrane, sodium ions flux and the membrane potential depolarizes to change the cell shape. Meanwhile, calcium ions fluxed and FDE1 was upregulated. Furthermore, the TCF/LEF in the cell nucleus began transcription to regulate the downstream genes involved in osteogenic differentiation, which is performed through the Wnt/Ca 2+ signaling pathway. This research has created a biological therapeutic strategy, which can achieve in vitro remotely, precisely, and noninvasively controlling cell differentiation behaviors by tuning the in vivo photoelectric microenvironment using NIR light.

NIR light-assisted phototherapies for bone-related diseases and bone tissue regeneration: A systematic review

“…These agents comprised a series of biocompatible photothermal transduction agents or photosensitizers based on metal, carbon, transition metal dichalcogenides, polymers, and semiconductors, which have significant NIR light-absorption ability and superior light-responsive capabilities 15 , 23 - 26 . They have high photothermal conversion efficiency to generate heat and good photocatalytic characteristics to produce ROS in the NIR region 20 , 27 , 28 . They can also convert NIR light into the secondary local energy, which induces structural changes in drug carriers to trigger drug release 29 .…”

“…Recently, several strategies to accelerate bone tissue regeneration via NIR light‑assisted phototherapies have been proposed. The mild localized heat or photoelectric microenvironment triggered by NIR light irradiation can achieve noninvasive, remote, and spatiotemporally controlled cell differentiation behaviors, providing a unique strategy for bone tissue regeneration 19 , 20 . In addition, considering that NIR light-responsive biosystems have been applied to realize the remote and controlled release of anticancer or antibacterial drugs, it also could be used to facilitate the controlled release of biological molecules (such as ions, drugs, or proteins) to promote bone tissue regeneration or promote tissue regeneration via a nonpharmacological and noninvasive strategy.…”

“…Recent studies have reported NIR light-induced antibacterial and anti‑inflammatory therapeutic effects for the treatment of bone‑related diseases 15 - 18 . At the same time, several studies have demonstrated that NIR light triggered mild localized heat, and the photoelectronic microenvironment could accelerate bone tissue regeneration 19 , 20 . Moreover, NIR light-responsive drug delivery systems have not only been used for targeted cancer therapies, but also for the delivery of growth factors for bone tissue regeneration 21 , 22 .…”

Advanced Near‐Infrared Light for Monitoring and Modulating the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Cell Functions in Living Systems

“…[ 26,53 ] Fourth, NIR light also can be used to modulate electron transfer in cells via the photoelectrochemical nanomaterials (such as silicon‐based nanostructured materials), thus being used for optical neuromodulation and stem cell‐based regenerative medicine. [ 54,55 ]…”

“…In 2019, Wu and coworkers developed a photoelectric‐responsive extracellular matrix to control cell fate and improve bone regeneration ( Figure a–g). [ 54 ] They produced a bismuth sulfide/hydroxyapatite (BS/HAp) film to create a fast and repeatable photoelectric‐responsive microenvironment around an implant. The photocurrent on the BS/HAp film was activated by NIR light (λ ex = 808 nm), owing to the depletion of holes through PO 4 3− from HAp and interfacial charge transfer by HAp compared with BS.…”