University of Pittsburgh researchers have developed a novel hybrid scaffold for bone defect regeneration. Consisting of a magnesium (Mg) alloy coated with a polymer and demineralized bone matrix (DBM), and fabricated using a concurrent electrospinning/electrospraying technique, this scaffold can promote osteogenic regeneration. This hybrid scaffold could offer clinicians new strategies to heal critical-sized bone defects (CSBD) without many of the adverse effects of existing treatments.
A hybrid scaffold consisting of a magnesium alloy mesh embedded within a polymer/demineralized bone matrix composite has been developed. This scaffold has promising measures of osteogenic activity and can promote bone repair.
Description
CSBD are bone gaps that cannot heal with conventional fracture treatment. The causes of these bone gaps can be trauma, disease (including infection of the bone) or congenital conditions. The failure to heal can have a profound impact on a patient’s quality of life and can result in osteomyelitis which can require limb amputation. Treatment of CSBD remains a clinical challenge and there is a great need to develop safe and effective treatments to encourage bone regeneration to heal these factures. This hybrid scaffold is designed to have bone-appropriate mechanical properties and deliver bioactive agents to promote bone regeneration and could expand the armamentarium of clinicians to treat CSBD.
Applications
- Critical-sized calvarial defect
- Bone regeneration
Advantages
Current treatment strategies for bone regeneration include alloplastic implants or autologous bone grafts. Both have shortcomings, including the risk of immunoreactivity and transmission of infectious agents in the case of allografts. Additionally, autologous bone grafting can be complicated by limited availability, donor site morbidity, and infection risks.
Scaffolds offer much promise in the field of bone regeneration. This effective osteogenic, hybrid scaffold is designed to provide mechanical properties comparable to the surrounding tissue via the Mg alloy and a bioactive composite containing DBM. The DBM is a source of various collagens, growth factors, and other bioactive entities known to support osteoconduction and osteoinduction. These scaffolds promote bone repair via multiple pathways. Firstly, the alloy releases Mg ions during oxidation, known to stimulate bone regeneration. Also, these ions can protect the surrounding polymer from degradation, reducing the risk of a localized inflammatory response. Secondly, the degradable polymer/DBM which is fabricated into a highly porous and interconnected nano/microfiber structure provides support for new bone growth.
Invention Readiness
Scaffolds were produced containing an Mg alloy mesh embedded within a polymer/DBM composite. In vitro experiments confirmed the mesh could promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells. Studies in animals with an 8 mm calvarial defect confirmed bone regeneration in vivo was possible without the need for exogenous growth factor.
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20240181126A1
