Purpose/aim: Bone defects caused by trauma, tumors, congenital malformation, or inflammation are very common in orthopedics. In recent years, mimicking the composition and structure of natural bone tissue has become a hot topic in biomaterial research, with the aim of developing an ideal biomaterial for bone defect transplantation. Here, the feasibility of a biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP)/acylated methacrylate gelatin (GelMA) composite hydrogel to repair bone defects was evaluated in vitro and in rats.
Materials and methods: The biocompatibility of a biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP)/acylated methacrylate gelatin (GelMA) composite hydrogel was evaluated by cytoskeleton staining, live/dead cell staining and cell proliferation assays. The in vitro osteogenic activities of the composite hydrogel were evaluated by alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red staining, as well as osteogenic gene expression analysis at both transcript and protein levels. The in vivo bone repair activities were evaluated using the rat skull defect model.
Results: The BCP/GelMA composite hydrogel displayed excellent biocompatibility and promoted osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. In addition, the BCP/GelMA composite hydrogel markedly promoted new bone formation in the rat skull-defect model.
Conclusions: BCP/GelMA composite hydrogel may be an effective artificial material for bone tissue engineering.
Keywords: Acylated methacrylate gelatin; Biphasic calcium phosphate; Hydrogel; Osteogenesis; skull defect.