K. Zheng¹*, R. Xu¹, Z. Xu², Y. Xu³

¹ Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China

² Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200011, China

³ Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, China

*kaizheng@njmu.edu.cn

Extracellular matrix (ECM) provides various direct interactions with cells and a dynamic environment to adapt to different biological processes. Bioactive glasses (BGs) are multifunctional bioactive biomaterials able to stimulate various cellular pathways toward enhanced tissue regeneration [1]. However, BGs generally cannot mimic ECM structures, which limits their performances in tissue regeneration applications. Hydrogels derived from either synthetic or natural polymers can mimic ECM structures and functionality. However, the biological activities such as osteogenic, angiogenic, and immunomodulatory effects of hydrogels are not satisfactory for effective tissue repair and regeneration. Composite hydrogels containing bioactive inorganic fillers represent attractive systems that can mimic ECM structures and stimulate cellular activities. A variety of inorganic fillers have been used to mechanically and biologically reinforce hydrogels for bone and soft tissue regeneration [2].

We developed a series of BGs with various compositions (e.g., Ce, Cu, Zn-containing systems) and morphologies (e.g., mesoporous nanoparticles, fibres) that could act as functional fillers to reinforce hydrogels. By smartly incorporating BGs into hydrogel matrices, we could obtain composite hydrogels with enhanced mechanical performances and regulable degradation. Depending on the type of incorporated BGs, the composite hydrogels could modulate the behaviours of various cells, including lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), by releasing biologically active ions [3,4]. Such ECM-mimicking BG-containing composite hydrogels could thus enhance osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis toward promoted bone tissue regeneration [5]. The combination of BGs and hydrogels represents an effective strategy for developing advanced implantable medical devices, including tissue engineering scaffolds, orthopaedic implants, and printed constructures.

References

[1] K. Zheng, B. Sui, K. Ilyas, A.R. Boccaccini, Mater. Horizons, 2021, 8, 300–335.

[2] E. Zeimaran, S. Pourshahrestani, A. Fathi, N.A. bin A. Razak, N.A. Kadri, A. Sheikhi, F. Baino, Acta Biomater., 2021, 136, 1–36.

[3] Y. Xu, M.P. Gaillez, K. Zheng, D. Voigt, M. Cui, T. Kurth, L. Xiao, R. Rothe, S. Hauser, P.W. Lee, R. Wieduwild, W. Lin, M. Bornhäuser, J. Pietzsch, A.R. Boccaccini, Y. Zhang, Small, 2022, 18, 2104758.

[4] H. Xie, S. Sha, L. Lu, G. Wu, H. Jiang, A.R. Boccaccini, K. Zheng, R. Xu, Pharmaceutics, 2022, 14, 225.

[5] Z. Xu, X. Qi, M. Bao, T. Zhou, Bioact. Mater., 2023, 25, 239–255.