An update on the Application of Nanotechnology in Bone Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Background: Natural bone is a complex and hierarchical structure. Bone possesses an extracellular matrix that has a precise nano-sized environment to encourage osteoblasts to lay down bone by directing them through physical and chemical cues. For bone tissue regeneration, it is crucial for the scaffolds to mimic the native bone structure. Nanomaterials, with features on the nanoscale have shown the ability to provide the appropriate matrix environment to guide cell adhesion, migration and differentiation.Methods:This review summarises the new developments in bone tissue engineering using nanobiomaterials. The design and selection of fabrication methods and biomaterial types for bone tissue engineering will be reviewed. The interactions of cells with different nanostructured scaffolds will be discussed including nanocomposites, nanofibres and nanoparticles.Results: Several composite nanomaterials have been able to mimic the architecture of natural bone. Bioceramics biomaterials have shown to be very useful biomaterials for bone tissue engineering as they have osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. Nanofibrous scaffolds have the ability to provide the appropriate matrix environment as they can mimic the extracellular matrix structure of bone. Nanoparticles have been used to deliver bioactive molecules and label and track stem cells.Conclusion:Future studies to improve the application of nanomaterials for bone tissue engineering are needed.

Influence of the nanofiber chemistry and orientation of biodegradable poly(butylene succinate)-based scaffolds on osteoblast differentiation for bone tissue regeneration

“…2,3 The latest advances in the development of scaffolds using nanotechnology have given the surgeon new options for restoring the form and function of tissues and organs. 4,5 One of the most pivotal elements in bone tissue regeneration consists in creating and developing scaffolds, such as a biodegradable highly porous microstructure with interrelated pores and a large surface area, capable of mimicking the ECM microstructure, thus providing mechanical properties to support bone ingrowth. [4][5][6][7] In this context, electrospinning, a versatile and advanced technique for the production and fabrication of complex nanofibrous assemblies, attracted remarkable attention, essentially due to two different factors: (i) the capacity of structural mimicking of the natural tissues of ECM, and (ii) the possibility to process a wide range of materials together with a simple set-up and cost-effectiveness.…”

“…4,5 One of the most pivotal elements in bone tissue regeneration consists in creating and developing scaffolds, such as a biodegradable highly porous microstructure with interrelated pores and a large surface area, capable of mimicking the ECM microstructure, thus providing mechanical properties to support bone ingrowth. [4][5][6][7] In this context, electrospinning, a versatile and advanced technique for the production and fabrication of complex nanofibrous assemblies, attracted remarkable attention, essentially due to two different factors: (i) the capacity of structural mimicking of the natural tissues of ECM, and (ii) the possibility to process a wide range of materials together with a simple set-up and cost-effectiveness. [4][5][6][7][8][9] In particular, nanosurface modification by the electrospinning technique is able to control the protein adsorption and the biochemical construction of the protein layer.…”

“…[4][5][6][7] In this context, electrospinning, a versatile and advanced technique for the production and fabrication of complex nanofibrous assemblies, attracted remarkable attention, essentially due to two different factors: (i) the capacity of structural mimicking of the natural tissues of ECM, and (ii) the possibility to process a wide range of materials together with a simple set-up and cost-effectiveness. [4][5][6][7][8][9] In particular, nanosurface modification by the electrospinning technique is able to control the protein adsorption and the biochemical construction of the protein layer. Constructing 'bottom up' nanoscale features can ultimately direct the surface hydrophilicity, the oxide thickness or the distribution of functional groups.…”

“…A wide range of natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers, such as alginate, chitosan, collagen, poly-caprolactone (PCL), poly-glycolic acid (PGA), poly-lactic acid (PLA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and blended polymers, have been employed in the production of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds for bone regeneration. [4][5][6] Furthermore, osteogenic agents, nanostructured materials or inorganic phase materials, like hydroxyapatite (HA) or β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), which is one of the compositions of natural bone or bone precursors, have been used to functionalize electrospun scaffolds in order to improve the biomaterials' structure, mechanical properties, cellular adhesion and osteogenic differentiation. [4][5][6][7] More recently, other polyesters, such as poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), have been proposed for tissue engineering applications.…”

Nanomaterials in Craniofacial Tissue Regeneration: A Review

“…Metal-based nanomaterials are used for their high mechanical strength and include metals such as gold, silver, and titanium [8,9]. In contrast to bulk metals, metallic nanoparticles, due to quantum effects, can promote osseointegration in addition to promoting many other factors, such as osteoconductivity, mineralization, proliferation, osteoblast and chondrocyte cell adhesion, increased mechanical strength, stimulation of collagen production, stimulation of alkaline phosphatase activity, and stimulation of calcium deposition [8][9][10]. For instance, Tran and Webster found that iron oxide nanoparticles with a hydroxyapatite coating could increase osteoblast functions [11].…”