Work

Resorbable nanocomposites with bone-like strength and enhanced cellular activity

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: Bone cements for treatment of fractures at weight-bearing sites are subjected to dynamic physiological loading from daily activities. An ideal bone cement rapidly sets after injection, exhibits bone-like strength, stimulates osteogenic differentiation of endogenous cells, and resorbs at a rate aligned with patient biology. However, currently available materials fall short of these targeted properties. Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (nHA) enhances osteogenic differentiation, new bone formation, and osteoclast differentiation activity compared to amorphous or micron-scale crystalline hydroxyapatite. However, the brittle mechanical properties of nHA precludes its use in treatment of weight-bearing bone defects. In this study, we report settable nHA-poly(ester urethane) (PEUR) nanocomposites synthesized from nHA, lysine triisocyanate (LTI), and poly(caprolactone) triol via a solvent-free process. The nanocomposites are easily mixed and injected using a double-barrel syringe, exhibit mechanical properties exceeding those of conventional bone cements, enhance mineralization of osteoprogenitor cells in vitro, and undergo osteoclast-mediated degradation in vitro. This combination of properties cannot be achieved using other technologies, which underscores the potential of nHA-PEUR nanocomposites as a new approach for promoting bone healing at weight-bearing sites.

Source: Journal of Materials Chemistry B

DOI: 10.1039/c7tb00657h

Authors: S. Lu, M. A. P. McGough, B. R. Rogers, J. C. Wenke, D. Shimko, S. A. Guelcher

Institutions: Vanderbilt University, United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Bone Tissue Engineering Materials

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green