Multimodal Potentials of Gold Nanoparticles for Bone Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine: Avenues and Prospects

Abstract

In recent times, metal nanoparticles, especially gold nanoparticles (GNPs), have attracted considerable interest in bone regeneration and expanded many folds. Their eminence is governed by the ease in fabrication, stability, controllable size, high surface area, easy functionalization, and multifunctionality. [3] In bone tissue engineering, GNPs can extend their multifunctionality to different dimensions in modulating the fundamental elements of tissue engineering like scaffolds, cells, and bioactive cues. GNPs can improve the scaffolds' physicochemical properties, making them more suitable for bone regeneration. They also stimulate cellular functionality by enhancing adhesion, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. GNPs have already been explored for their capability in controlled delivery of the bioactive cues providing eminent therapeutic potential. Besides controlling the osseous tissue functionality, they also regulate the immunological and vascularization process propounding the tissue repair mechanism adding to extensive neo-bone formation. Gold has been considered the most stable and nontoxic metal, but its reduction to nanometric ranges changes the surface properties making them more reactive and functional than its bulk counterpart. [4] Many studies have been conducted to determine the toxicity of GNPs in biological systems. Nevertheless, mainly being safe, gold in nanometric range can exhibit toxicity depending on their size, shape, surface charge, and functionalization. Therefore, it becomes crucial to extensively study the cytocompatibility of these nanoparticles for every biological activity conferred by them.The current review focuses on exploring the multiple potentials of GNPs, which are revolutionizing the field of bone tissue engineering as regenerative therapy. The first part of the review deals with the involvement of nanoparticles in the areas of osteogenesis and how they help in remodeling the osseous tissues. The second part extensively defines the bone regenerative mechanism of GNPs through different dimensions ranging from the modulation of scaffold properties to the development of vascular networks and their interplay studies. Finally, the last part of the review unfolds the toxicological aspects of GNPs explored so far and the associated future opportunities rendered by them in bone tissue engineering.Osseous tissue repair has advanced due to the introduction of tissue engineering. The key elements required while engineering new tissues involve scaffolds, cells, and bioactive cues. The macrostructural to the nanostructural framework of such complex tissue has engrossed the intervention of nanotechnology for efficient neo-bone formation. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have recently gained interest in bone tissue regeneration due to their multimodal functionality. They are proven to modulate the properties of scaffolds and the osteogenic cells significantly. GNPs also influence different metabolic functions within the body, which directly or indirectly govern the mechanism of bone reg...

Biomimetic Periodontal Ligament Transplantation Activated by Gold Nanoparticles Protects Alveolar Bone

“…[35,36] In addition, AuNCs can also serve as a contrast agent for in vivo cell tracking of MSCs. [37] However, their biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, [38] and effect on cell proliferation and differentiation [39] remain controversial since they have been shown to promote [25,36] and not promote [23,40] proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in vitro. These contradictory results might be the result of the differences in size, surface charge, concentration, and dose of the applied AuNCs.…”

Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Enhancing Bone Regeneration

“…Accordingly, constructing BTE materials using NPs of the same size as the intact part of natural bones is an effective local application strategy, which can endow the material with a biomimetic internal structure and improve cell-level interactions and bone tissue regeneration . In addition, some NPs such as silver NPs have antibacterial properties, and their combination with the osteogenic properties of hydroxyapatite (HA) enables NPs to act as functional components in composites, playing a similar role to endogenous enzymes …”

Bovine Serum Albumin-Coated Ceria Nanoparticles Activate the TGF-β Signaling Pathway for Periodontal Bone Regeneration

“…Due to unique advantages (like high stability and low cost), nanomaterials with tissue regeneration capability show great potential for clinical problems that cannot be addressed by conventional biological strategies . Thus, many nanomaterials, such as nanohydroxyapatite (nHA), gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), and cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 NPs), could play a key role in bone tissue engineering by regulating stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Among them, CeO 2 NPs have good biological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and angiogenic, and were confirmed to possess potential to promote healing in different tissues. , Therefore, it has been applied in the treatment of depression and renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. , CeO 2 NPs have been shown to alleviate periodontal inflammation via reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related pathways .…”