Stem cell-homing biomimetic hydrogel promotes the repair of osteoporotic bone defects through osteogenic and angiogenic coupling

Sci Adv. 2024 Nov;10(44):eadq6700. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adq6700. Epub 2024 Nov 1.

Abstract

Osteoporotic bone defects refer to the disruption of bone structural integrity in patients with osteoporosis and pose a substantial challenge to orthopedic surgeons. In this study, we developed a biomimetic hydrogel to improve the osteogenic microenvironment and promote stem cell homing. This hydrogel served as a container for S-nitrosoglutathione and Ca2+, promoting the release of bioactive nitric oxide (NO) from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and human vascular endothelial cells and activating the NO/cyclic guanosine monophosphate signaling pathway. These changes promote osteogenic and angiogenic couplings. The hydrogel simultaneously recruited BMSCs by conjugating the stem cell homing peptide SKPPGTSS. Using a rat distal femoral defect model, it was demonstrated that this hydrogel can effectively increase the formation of bone tissue and new blood vessels and has immune-regulating functions. We envision that this hydrogel may be a minimally invasive yet highly effective strategy for expediting the healing of osteoporotic bone defects.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry
  • Biomimetic Materials / pharmacology
  • Bone Regeneration / drug effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels* / chemistry
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells* / cytology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells* / drug effects
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells* / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Osteogenesis* / drug effects
  • Osteoporosis* / drug therapy
  • Osteoporosis* / metabolism
  • Osteoporosis* / pathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • Nitric Oxide