Synergistic Effect of Mesoporous Silica and Hydroxyapatite in Loaded Poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) Microspheres on the Regeneration of Bone Defects.

A microsphere composite made of poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN), and nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) (PLGA-MSN/nHA) was prepared and evaluated as bone tissue engineering materials. The objective of this study was to investigate the synergistic effect of MSN/nHA on biocompatibility as well as its potential ability for bone formation. First, we found that this PLGA-MSN/nHA composite performed good characteristics on microstructure, mechanical strength, and wettability.

Effects of graphene modification on the bioactivation of polyethylene-terephthalate-based artificial ligaments.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether surface coating with graphene could enhance the surface bioactivation of PET-based artificial ligaments to accelerate graft-to-bone healing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. In an in vitro study, the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells and their differentiation on the scaffolds were quantified via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. The significantly higher optical-density values and transcription levels of osteoblast-specific genes indicated that graphene modification could promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells and accelerate their specific differentiation into osteogenic lineages on scaffolds.

Effects of Artificial Ligaments with Different Porous Structures on the Migration of BMSCs.

Polyethylene terephthalate- (PET-) based artificial ligaments (PET-ALs) are commonly used in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery. The effects of different porous structures on the migration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on artificial ligaments and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. In this study, a cell migration model was utilized to observe the migration of BMSCs on PET-ALs with different porous structures.