A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
In situ construction of ossification micro-units for critical bone regeneration via sustained lifting of epigenetic suppression
Authors: Yang, Wu; Ding, Tao; Zhuang, Pengzhen; Chen, Yu; Zhang, Yu; Chen, Zehao; Fan, Minjie; Viitala, Tapani; Wang, Zhongmin; Cui, Wenguo; Zhang, Hongbo
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Journal of Controlled Release
Journal name in source: Journal of Controlled Release
Article number: 113978
Volume: 385
ISSN: 0168-3659
eISSN: 1873-4995
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.113978
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.113978
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/499174259
Critical-sized bone defects present significant clinical challenges due to insufficient stem cell recruitment, epigenetic suppression of osteogenesis, and inadequate mineralization. Among the epigenetic suppression mechanisms, upregulated MEG3 specifically recruits the epigenetic regulator EZH2 to block the transcription of β-catenin, a core gene for bone regeneration. To regulate MEG3 in vivo effectively, we used microfluidics to develop in situ continuous MEG3-silencing ossification micro-units (MSOMs) that integrate “material–gene–biofactor” tri-coupling into a unified biomaterial system. The MSOMs are nano-micro particles composed of amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles loaded with siRNA (si@BCP) in GelMA microgels loaded with stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α). The SDF-1α in the microgel layer is rapidly released to recruit BMSCs, while the siRNA in si@BCP has sustained release to silence MEG3 and restore β-catenin transcription continuously. Thus, the MSOMs provide a stable mineralization microenvironment for ossification center formation. In vivo observations revealed the formation of ossification centers around these micro-units, tripling new bone formation and achieving efficient bone regeneration. By addressing the key limitations of traditional therapies, MSOMs offer a clinically viable solution that integrates stem cell recruitment, epigenetic regulation, and biomaterial-based mineralization, thus providing a highly efficient approach for critical bone defect repair.
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Funding information in the publication:
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52403192 and W2411085), the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (22YF1441800), the Research Project (347897), Solution for Health Profile (336355), InFLAMES Flagship (337531) grants and Printed Intelligence Infrastructure (PII-FIRI) from Research Council of Finland. This study is part of the activities of the Åbo Akademi University Foundation (SÅA) funded Center of Excellence in Research “Materials-driven solutions for combating antimicrobial resistance (MADNESS)” at ÅAU. Wu Yang (CSC202207960009) and Minjie Fan (CSC202408320125) were sponsored by the China Scholarship Council.