AUTHOR=Wang Wei-Hua , Wang Fei , Zhao Hai-Feng , Yan Ke , Huang Cui-Ling , Yin Yin , Huang Qiang , Chen Zao-Zao , Zhu Wen-Yu 

TITLE=Injectable Magnesium-Zinc Alloy Containing Hydrogel Complex for Bone Regeneration

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2020

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2020.617585

DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2020.617585

ISSN=2296-4185

ABSTRACT=Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) has been widely used in bone engineering. It can also be filled into the cranial defects with irregular shape. However, lack of osteoinductive capacity limits its potential as a candidate repair material for skull defects. In this study, we developed an injectable magnesium-zinc alloy containing hydrogel complex (Mg-IHC), in which the alloy was fabricated in an atomization process and had small sphere, regular shape and good fluidity. Mg-IHC can be injected and plastically shaped. After cross-linking, it has the elastic modulus similar to GelMA, and has inner holes suitable for nutrient transportation. Furthermore, Mg-IHC showed promising biocompatibility according to our evaluations of its cell adhesion, growth status, and proliferating activity. The results of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, ALP staining, alizarin red staining and Real-time PCR further showed that Mg-IHC could significantly promote the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and upregulate the genetic expression of collagen I (COL-I), osteocalcin (OCN), and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). Finally, after applied to a mouse model of critical-sized cranial defect, Mg-IHC remarkably enhanced bone formation at the defect site. All of these results suggest that Mg-IHC can promote bone regeneration and can be potentially considered as a candidate for cranial defect repairing.