Calcitonin-loaded octamaleimic acid–silsesquioxane nanoparticles in hydrogel scaffold support osteoinductivity in bone regeneration

Abstract

Novel osteoinductive scaffolds fabricated using the benefits of tissue engineering techniques accompanied by utilizing drugs can accelerate bone regeneration. The purpose of this study was to load salmon calcitonin (sCT) in octamaleimic acid-silsesquioxane (OMA-POSS) nanoparticles and enrich the hydrogel scaffold based on hydroxyapatite, Gelrite® and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for use in bone tissue engineering. The loading efficiency, release percentage, particle size and zeta potential of the nanoparticles were evaluated. The proliferation of seeded MG-63 osteoblast cells on the designed scaffold, its cytotoxicity and osteo-conductivity were studied by alkaline phosphatase measurement and Alizarin red staining. The expression of cellular osteogenic markers such as collagen 1 (COL1A1), osteocalcin (BGLAP) and osteopontin (SPP1) was examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The results revealed that the particle size of the nanoparticles varied between 94.2 and 199.2 nm and their negative surface charge increased after drug conjugation. The osteoblast cell proliferation and calcium granule production in the optimum formulation were significantly higher in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). Osteogenic markers increased significantly after a specific number of days of cell culture compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The results also showed the potential of the designed scaffold in bone tissue engineering.

Keywords:

• Scaffold
• octamaleimic acid-silsesquioxane
• calcitonin
• bone tissue engineering
• hydrogel
• hydroxyapatite

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. This paper is extracted from the dissertation of Saeedeh Ahmadipour the Ph.D student of Faculty of Pharmacy of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest, financial or otherwise.

Data availability statement

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation, to any qualified researcher.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Vice Chancellery for Research of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences [grant No: 397764].