Engineering Scaffolds Integrated with Calcium Sulfate and Oyster Shell for Enhanced Bone Tissue Regeneration

Abstract

Engineering scaffolds combinging natural biomineral and artificially synthesized material hold promising potential for bone tissue regeneration. In this study, novel bioactive calcium sulfate/oyster shell (CS/OS) composites were prepared. Comparing to CS scaffold, the CS/OS composites with a controllable degradation rate displayed enhanced mineral nodule formation, higher alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity and increased proliferation rate while treated osteocytes. In CS/OS composites group, elevated mRNA levels of key osteogenic genes including bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osterix (Osx), and osteocalcin (OCN) were observed. Furthermore, The up-regulation of BMP-2 and type I collagen (COL-I) was observed for CS/OS composites relative to a CS group. Scaffolds were implanted into critical-sized femur cavity defects in rabbits to investigate the osteogenic capacity of the composites in vivo. The CS/OS scaffolds with proper suitable times and mechanical strength strongly promoted osteogenic tissue regeneration relative to the regeneration capacity of CS scaffolds, as indicated by the results of histological staining. These results suggest that the OS-modified CS engineering scaffolds with improved mechanical properties and bioactivity would facilitate the development of a new strategy for clinic bone defect regeneration.

HMGB1 promotes bone fracture healing through activation of ERK signaling pathway in a rat tibial fracture model

“…COL1A1 encodes the major components of type‐I collagen . While OSX and OCN are late‐stage makers of calcium deposition and osteogenic differentiation . In terms of Sox9 , it is an essential transcription factor in the regulation of chondrocyte differentiation .…”

“…30 While OSX and OCN are late-stage makers of calcium deposition and osteogenic differentiation. 31 In terms of Sox9, it is an essential transcription factor in the regulation of chondrocyte differentiation. 32 In agreement with our findings, Wang SN et al showed that miR-193a could reduce the expression of osteoblast-specific markers (including Runx2, ALP, OSX, and OCN) by targetedly downregulating HMGB1 to inhibit the differentiation of osteoblasts.…”

Naturally derived biomaterials for development of composite bone scaffold: A review

“…HAp derived from cockle shells [74,75], oyster shells [76,77], mollusc shell [78] and eggshells [79] have been combined with different biomaterials to develop porous composite bone scaffolds.…”

Biomimetic oyster shell–replicated topography alters the behaviour of human skeletal stem cells

“…Raman spectroscopy allowed for confirmation of aragonite crystals present in the matrix 14 . Bone regeneration initiated by nacre was proven in experiments in ovine bone defects, rabbit defects and human maxillofacial defects, illustrating the powerful role of nacre in bone regeneration 16–19. …”