Innovative researchers have investigated the potential of incorporating a gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel functionalized with synthetic nanoclay laponite to improve the delivery of osteoblast derived extracellular vesicles for increased bone repair. This research has been published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences as a bone repair strategy that may aid in alleviating the burden of bone damage.
With bone fracture treatment being a global socioeconomic burden, research into novel treatments has been undertaken such as the use of extracellular vesicles.
Why Are Novel Bone Fracture Treatments Necessary?
There are approximately 10 million people within the UK who have been affected by musculoskeletal disorders, as well as 1.71 billion diagnosed worldwide, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Additionally, a report on osteoporosis has stated this disorder is responsible for 8.9 million fractures annually, worldwide.
With an ageing population, bone health has become a concern globally and so the demand for bone-related treatments is only increasing, illustrating the necessity of research for this field to sustain the exponential growth as well as retain the quality of life for patients.
Autologous bone grafts are currently the gold standard for treating diseased or damaged bones; however, with limitations such as lack of availability, accessibility and donor site morbidity, this route of treatment may not be the most efficient for bone repair.
Additionally, other treatment options have shown positive clinical results, such as combining bone graft substitutes with osteoinductive growth factors including bone morphogenic protein 2. This route can also cause complications with adverse effects such as hematomas and myelopathy.
This field of cell-based tissue engineering has been found to show promise with osteoinductive biomaterials being combined with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) for bone augmentation, however, direct transplant of MSC-based therapies has been shown to have produced adverse effects including immunological rejection, uncontrolled differentiation and even the formation of neoplasms.
Other limitations for cell-based therapies for clinical translation also include cost, lack of scalability within manufacturing, governmental regulations as well as potential ethical issues.
This realization has led researchers to investigate cell-free strategies as a method to promote bone regeneration and repair for diseases and disorders.
Innovative Bone Repair Approach
Extracellular vesicles (EV) could be the potential key to bone regeneration, with these acellular tools being lipid nanoparticles that can carry a diverse range of biological cargo, such as nucleic acids and proteins.
These naturally derived nanoparticles hold a significant function in bone development with roles in mediating intercellular communication between osteoblasts and osteoclasts, bone cells that synthesize and break down bone tissue, respectively.
Additionally, the inclusion of epigenetics to modify the differentiation capacity of cells for bone augmentation holds the potential to enhance EV mineralization.
Previous research has found EVs that are isolated from osteoblasts and treated with the histone deacetylase inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA), can lead to enhanced osteoinductive potency, which may be due to enrichment in pro-osteogenic microRNAs and transcriptional regulating proteins.
However, the issue with EV consists of the short half-life which limits their therapeutic utility, with local administration into the defect area having transient results and requiring effective injections to be clinically successful.
This illustrates the necessity for advancements to effectively facilitate the delivery of EVs in order to improve their bioavailability in situ.
Innovative Research
Novel research has included the utilization of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels which were functionalized with synthetic nanoclay laponite (LAP) with the aim of improving local retention and control delivery of osteoblast-derived and TSA treated EVs that have been epigenetically enhanced for bone repair.
This innovative combination has been found to enhance the proliferation of human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) as well as increasing migration, histone acetylation and mineralization compared to the control group of untreated EVs. Additionally, the TSA-EV functionalized GelMA-LAP hydrogel was able to significantly promote encapsulated hBMSCs extracellular matrix collagen production as well as increase mineralization.
This illustrates the significance of combining epigenetics through the histone deacetylase inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA) with osteoblast-derived EVs as well as a nanocomposite hydrogel which was able to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of delivery for bone repair and regeneration.
Future Translation
The translation for this research consists of the development of using EVs as a pro-osteogenic acellular tool; this has the benefit of not using a cell-based therapy which can have complications such as high expense as well as immune rejection. Additionally, this innovative approach also solves the challenge of the half-life originally attributed to EVs.
This nanotechnology has the potential to be used clinically as a method to promote bone regeneration, a field that has limited treatments and so an innovative development can lead to quality care of a global aging population.
News
New Immune Pathway Could Supercharge mRNA Cancer Vaccines
A surprising backup system in the immune response to mRNA vaccines may hold the key to more effective cancer treatments. The arrival of mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in 2020 marked a turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, [...]
Scientists Discover “Molecular Switch” That Fuels Alzheimer’s Brain Inflammation
A newly identified trigger of brain inflammation could offer a fresh target for slowing Alzheimer’s progression. The brain has its own built-in immune system that identifies threats and responds to them. In Alzheimer’s disease, growing evidence [...]
Molecular Manufacturing: The Future of Nanomedicine – New book from NanoappsMedical Inc.
This book explores the revolutionary potential of atomically precise manufacturing technologies to transform global healthcare, as well as practically every other sector across society. This forward-thinking volume examines how envisaged Factory@Home systems might enable the cost-effective [...]
Forgotten Medicinal Plant Shows Promise in Fighting Dangerous Superbugs
A traditional medicinal plant, tormentil, shows promise against antibiotic-resistant bacteria in laboratory tests. Its compounds work by limiting bacterial growth and boosting antibiotic performance. Before the development of modern antibiotics, plant-based remedies were commonly [...]
NanoMedical Brain/Cloud Interface – Explorations and Implications. A new book from Frank Boehm
New book from Frank Boehm, NanoappsMedical Inc Founder: This book explores the future hypothetical possibility that the cerebral cortex of the human brain might be seamlessly, safely, and securely connected with the Cloud via [...]
New Research Finds Shocking Link Between Chili Peppers and Cancer
If you love spicy food, you are not alone. But scientists are taking a closer look at whether eating a lot of chili peppers could affect your cancer risk. Could your love of spicy [...]
New book from Nanoappsmedical Inc. – Global Health Care Equivalency
A new book by Frank Boehm, NanoappsMedical Inc. Founder. This groundbreaking volume explores the vision of a Global Health Care Equivalency (GHCE) system powered by artificial intelligence and quantum computing technologies, operating on secure [...]
Scientists Create “Neurobots” – Living Machines With Their Own Nervous Systems
Neurobots—xenobots with neurons—show self-organized nervous systems and enhanced behaviors, revealing new insights into how biology builds functional structures. In 2020, researchers at Tufts University developed tiny living structures known as xenobots using frog cells. These microscopic organisms [...]
Our books now available worldwide!
Online Sellers other than Amazon, Routledge, and IOPP Indigo Global Health Care Equivalency in the Age of Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine and Artifcial Intelligence Global Health Care Equivalency In The Age Of Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine And Artificial [...]
Amazonian Chocolate Could Become the Next Superfood, Scientists Say
New research into Amazonian cocoa reveals that its value may extend beyond flavor alone. Chocolate from the Amazon is already known worldwide for its distinctive taste, but new research suggests it may offer even [...]
Nanobody repairs misfolded CFTR inside cells, boosting function in cystic fibrosis
A tiny antibody component could fundamentally transform the treatment of cystic fibrosis: For the first time, researchers have succeeded in developing a so-called nanobody that penetrates directly into human cells and can repair the [...]
20-Year Study Finds Daily Multivitamins Don’t Extend Lifespan
A large, decades-long study of over 390,000 U.S. adults challenges a widespread assumption about daily multivitamins. Multivitamins are a daily habit for millions of Americans, often taken with the expectation that they will extend [...]
Novel Investment Paradigms for Regenerative Healthcare Ecosystems
Introduction The transition toward regenerative healthcare ecosystems—anchored in wellness optimization, disease prevention, eradication strategies, and healthy longevity—necessitates a structural reconfiguration of capital architectures, governance models, and incentive design. Regenerative healthcare, by definition, transcends episodic [...]
What If Consciousness Exists Beyond Your Brain
Scientists still don’t know how consciousness emerges from the brain. New ideas suggest it may not emerge at all, but instead be a basic feature of reality. Is consciousness produced by the brain, or [...]
Scientists Discover Way To Treat Lung Cancer and Its Deadly Side Effect Together
A new approach using lipid nanoparticles to deliver genetic material is showing promise in tackling two major challenges in lung cancer at once.Researchers at Oregon State University have designed a new way to tackle two of [...]
Saunas Activate Your Immune System
A brief sauna session may quietly mobilize the immune system. A sauna session may do more than raise your heart rate and body temperature. A new study from Finland found that it also briefly [...]
