Researching progress on bio-reactive electrogenic materials with electrophysiological activity for enhanced bone regeneration

Abstract

Bone tissues are dynamically reconstructed during the entire life cycle phase, which is an exquisitely regulated process controlled by intracellular and intercellular signals transmitted through physicochemical and biochemical stimulation. Recently, the role of electrical activity in promoting bone regeneration has attracted great attention, making the design, fabrication, and selection of bioelectric bio-reactive materials a focus. Under specific conditions, piezoelectric, photoelectric, magnetoelectric, acoustoelectric, and thermoelectric materials can generate bioelectric signals similar to those of natural tissues and stimulate osteogenesis-related signaling pathways to enhance the regeneration of bone defects, which can be used for designing novel smart biological materials for engineering tissue regeneration. However, literature summarizing studies relevant to bioelectric materials for bone regeneration is rare to our knowledge. Consequently, this review is mainly focused on the biological mechanism of electrical stimulation in the regeneration of bone defects, the current state and future prospects of piezoelectric materials, and other bioelectric active materials suitable for bone tissue engineering in recent studies, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for novel clinical treatment strategies for bone defects.

Advances in reparative materials for infectious bone defects and their applications in maxillofacial regions

“…Thus, researchers shifted their focus from biocompatibility to bioactivity. 166 Consequently, the second generation of biomaterials emerged with the ability to undergo controlled degradation, possess ion exchange capacity, promote biomineralization, facilitate osteoinduction and hard tissue formation under physiological conditions, contributing to new bone formation. 167,168 However, these biomaterials lack the ability to interact with bone tissues through mutual or reciprocal ways in response to several physicochemical irritations, which is often criticized by clinical workers.…”

“…For example, researchers have found that bioelectrical signals, as well as endogenous electrical fields and external electrical stimulation, play a vital role in controlling the cell behavior concerning bone repair, including osteoblasts, chondrocytes, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells. 166,202 Inspired by this, extensive research has focused on innovative biomaterials that utilize physical stimulation in a wide range of pharmaceutical and medical applications, including drug delivery and diagnostics, providing an opportunity for effectively treating localized maxillofacial defects. 203 For example, Chen J. et al explored a hierarchically structured polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) foam fabricated using solid-state shearing milling, which was subsequently adorned with ZIF-8 nanocrystals.…”

Materials‐Mediated In Situ Physical Cues for Bone Regeneration

“…The activated calcineurin dephosphorylates the nuclear factor of activated T cells, which translocates to the nucleus and binds co‐operatively with other transcription factors to the regulatory regions of the inducible genes. [ 172 ] These genes further induced the translation of several growth factors like TGF‐β and BMP, which were responsible for the regulation of ECM production as well as the up/downregulation of several proteins and cellular metabolic pathways. [ 173 ] Additionally, the membrane mechanical receptors can also be activated by mechanical stimulation, subsequently triggering the protein kinase C and MAPK signaling pathways.…”

“…f) Schematic diagram of Ca 2+ signal transduction pathway and other miscellaneous pathways activated in response to the electrical and mechanical stimulation. Reproduced with permission [172]. Copyright 2022, Frontiers Media S. A. Ltd.…”

Photoelectrons Sequentially Regulate Antibacterial Activity and Osseointegration of Titanium Implants

“…Photoelectrons can transmit physiological electrical signals and accurately regulate cell behavior, providing the possibility of curing diseases. [ 17 ] For instance, photoelectrons can form an electric field around the implant to promote bone formation by regulating the intracellular osteogenesis‐related signaling pathway, for example, to control the opening of voltage‐gated ion channels. It was found by Tiwari et al.…”