AUTHOR=Li Zheng , Zhang Yunyang , Ye Qing , Wang Lei , Chen Hui , Xu Chenhui , Wang Peng , Sun Jianfei TITLE=Endowing improved osteogenic activities with collagen membrane by incorporating biocompatible iron oxide nanoparticles JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology VOLUME=11 YEAR=2023 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1259904 DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2023.1259904 ISSN=2296-4185 ABSTRACT=

Introduction: Collagen-based scaffolds, renowned for their exceptional biocompatibility, have garnered attention as promising scaffolds for advancing bone tissue regeneration. Nevertheless, these scaffolds possess inherent limitations, such as notably compromised osteo-conductivity and osteo-inductivity.

Methods: Our study focused on enhancing the mechanical properties and osteogenic bioactivities of bovine-derived collagen membranes (CMs) from the Achilles tendon by incorporating FDA-approved iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), termed as IONP-CM. Three types of IONP-CMs (IONP-CM-0.5, IONP-CM-1, and IONPCM-1.5) were constructed by altering the amounts of feeding IONPs.

Results: Surface topography analysis demonstrated comparable characteristics between the IONP-CM and neat CM, with the former exhibiting augmented mechanical properties. In vitro evaluations revealed the remarkable biocompatibility of IONP-CMs toward mouse calvarial pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells, concurrently stimulating osteogenic differentiation. Mechanistic investigations unveiled that the osteogenic differentiation induced by IONP-CMs stemmed from the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Furthermore, in vivo bone regeneration assessment was performed by implanting IONP-CMs into the radial defect in rabbits. Results derived from micro-computed tomography and histological analyses unequivocally substantiated the capacity of IONP-CMs to expedite bone repair processes.

Discussion: IONP-CMs emerged as scaffolds boasting exceptional biocompatibility and enhanced osteogenic properties, positioning them as promising candidates for facilitating bone tissue regeneration.