Nacre-derived biphasic calcium phosphate composite scaffolds with dual osteogenic/angiogenic potential for efficient bone defect repair
1 College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
2 Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (Qingdao), Qingdao, China
  • Volume
  • Citation
    Dong W, Zhang L, Wang K, Zhang Y, Li Y, et al. Nacre-derived biphasic calcium phosphate composite scaffolds with dual osteogenic/angiogenic potential for efficient bone defect repair. Biofunct. Mater. 2025(3):0013, https://doi.org/10.55092/bm20250013. 
  • DOI
    10.55092/bm20250013
  • Copyright
    Copyright2025 by the authors. Published by ELSP.
Abstract

A composite scaffold integrating biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) with sodium alginate (SA) was engineered in this study to facilitate the repair of bone defects. Nacre-derived BCP with different ratios of hydroxyapatite (HAP) to β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP)—H5 (50:50) and H3 (30:70)—were combined with SA, cross-linked with calcium ions, and freeze-dried to fabricate three types of scaffolds: SN (SA alone), SH3, and SH5. Characterization revealed high crystallinity, porosity (65%–80%), and a pore size of approximately 100 μm. In vitro, SH5 scaffolds promoted MC3T3-E1 cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, significantly enhancing osteogenesis-related gene expression (COL-1, RUNX-2, ALP, OPN) and alkaline phosphatase activity, while also supporting HUVEC migration and tube formation. In vivo, SH5 scaffolds exhibited superior bone regeneration, mineralization, collagen deposition, and integration with host tissue in a rat cranial defect model, accompanied by strong osteocalcin, osteopontin and osteoprotegerin expression. Experimental findings revealed that the SH5 BCP/SA scaffold possesses outstanding osteoinductive and angiogenic properties, thereby reinforcing its potential to be applied as bone defect repair substitutes.

Keywords

bone tissue engineering; biphasic calcium phosphates; sodium alginate; nacre powder

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