Remineralized bone matrix as a scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

There is a need for improved biomaterials for use in treating non-healing bone defects. A number of natural and synthetic biomaterials have been used for the regeneration of bone tissue with mixed results. One approach is to modify native tissue via decellularization or other treatment for use as natural scaffolding for tissue repair.

Remineralization of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) via alternating solution immersion (ASI).

In order to achieve successful clinical outcomes, biomaterials used for bone grafts must possess a number of traits including biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. These materials must also demonstrate appropriate mechanical stability to withstand handling as well as support potentially significant stresses at the implant site. Synthetic and natural polymer scaffolds used for bone tissue engineering (BTE) often lack necessary mechanical properties.

Cell-derived matrix coatings for polymeric scaffolds.

Cells in culture deposit a complex extracellular matrix that remains intact following decellularization and possesses the capacity to modulate cell phenotype. The direct application of such decellularized matrices (DMs) to 3D substrates is problematic, as transport issues influence the homogeneous deposition, decellularization, and modification of DM surface coatings. In an attempt to address this shortcoming, we hypothesized that DMs deposited by human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could be transferred to the surface of polymeric scaffolds while maintaining their capacity to direct cell fate.

Damage initiation sites in osteoporotic and normal human cancellous bone.

Using a finite element (FE) method called biomechanical stereology, Wang et al. previously reported increased microcrack formation and propagation in bone samples from patients with a history of osteoporotic fracture as compared to normal subjects. In this study, we re-analyzed the data from Wang's report to determine the microscopic differences between bone tissue from osteoporotic patients and normal subjects that caused these different patterns of bone tissue damage between the groups.