Integrated Piezoelectric/Conductive Composite Cryogel Creates Electroactive Microenvironment for Enhanced Bone Regeneration

Abstract

Natural bone tissue possesses inherent electrophysiological characteristics, displaying conductivity and piezoelectricity simultaneously; hence, the reconstruction of local electrical microenvironment at defect site provides an effective strategy to enhance osteogenesis. Herein, a composite cryogel‐type scaffold (referred to as Gel‐PD‐CMBT) is developed for bone regeneration, utilizing gelatin (Gel) in combination with a conductive poly(ethylene dioxythiophene)/polystyrene sulfonate matrix and Ca/Mn co‐doped barium titanate (CMBT) nanofibers as the piezoelectric filler. The incorporation of these components results in the formation of an integrated piezoelectric/conductive network within the scaffold, facilitating charge migration and yielding a conductivity of 0.59 S cm−1. This conductive scaffold creates a promising electroactive microenvironment, which is capable of up‐regulating biological responses. Furthermore, the interconnected porous structure of the Gel‐PD‐CMBT scaffold not only provides mechanical stability but also offered ample space for cellular and tissue ingrowth. This Gel‐PD‐CMBT scaffold demonstrates a greater capacity to promote cellular osteogenic differentiation in vitro and neo‐bone formation in vivo. In summary, the Gel‐PD‐CMBT scaffold, with its integrated piezoelectricity and conductivity, effectively restores the local electroactive microenvironment, offering an ideal platform for the regeneration of electrophysiological bone tissue.

Chemical and Structural Engineering of Gelatin-Based Delivery Systems for Therapeutic Applications: A Review

“…29 For example, a composite cryogel-type scaffold was developed by combining gelatin with a conductive poly(ethylene dioxythiophene)/polystyrenesulfonate matrix for bone regeneration. 30 The integrated conductive network in the scaffold facilitated charge migration and created a promising electroactive environment to upregulate the biological response and bone regeneration. These procedures allow the gelatin solution or film to condense and solidify for a certain period, leading to a conformational change of gelatin from random protein coils to 3D structures of triple helices.…”

“…Through physical modification, the mechanical, structural, and morphological properties of gelatin can be easily optimized, resulting in compressible, tough, flexible, adhesive, and stretchable characteristics . For example, a composite cryogel-type scaffold was developed by combining gelatin with a conductive poly­(ethylene dioxythiophene)/polystyrenesulfonate matrix for bone regeneration . The integrated conductive network in the scaffold facilitated charge migration and created a promising electroactive environment to upregulate the biological response and bone regeneration.…”