Innovative Biomaterial Breakthroug: Development of Theragenerative Biomaterial with Antibacterial, Antiosteosarcoma, and Osteoinductive Properties

Osteosarcoma, a highly malignant bone tumor, affects 2-3 million people worldwide each year. Traditional treatments often involve surgical resection followed by radiotherapy or chemotherapy, and bone grafting to repair the resulting bone defects. However, these methods encounter difficulties in complete tumor removal, which often results in postoperative recurrences, metastases, and significant bone loss, severely impacting patients’ quality of life.

An international research team, led by PD Dr. Homa Maleki (Dept. of Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne), has developed a novel approach to bone tissue engineering, that has the potential to significantly advance the restoration of damaged bone tissues in post-surgery osteosarcoma treatment.

To address these challenges, the researchers synthesized innovative composite inks by integrating self-assembled silk fibroin (SF), tannic acids (TA), and electrospun bioactive glass nanofibers (BGNF, 70SiO2-25CaO-5P2O5). By combining these components through self-assembly and microextrusion-based three-dimensional (3D) printing, they produced durable and versatile aerogel-based 3D composite scaffolds. These scaffolds feature hierarchical porosity, antibacterial properties, antiosteosarcoma capabilities, and bone regeneration potential. The study "Designing of a Multifunctional 3D-Printed Biomimetic Theragenerative Aerogel Scaffold via Mussel-Inspired Chemistry: Bioactive Glass Nanofiber-Incorporated Self-Assembled Silk Fibroin with Antibacterial, Antiosteosarcoma, and Osteoinductive Properties" has been recently published ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces  2024, Match 28 - https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.4c00065.

The researchers drew inspiration from the attachment chemistry of mussel foot proteins, which involves dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) amino acids coordinating with ferric ions (Fe3+). They synthesized a tris-complex catecholate-iron self-assembled composite gel through the coordination of oxidized SF (SFO) with TA and polydopamine-modified BGNF (BGNF-PDA). The dynamic ligand-metal bonds within the self-assembled SFO matrix provide excellent shear-thinning properties, allowing the SFO-TA-BGNF complex gel to be extruded through a nozzle for precise 3D printing. The resulting composite aerogels exhibit multifaceted features, including near-infrared (NIR)-triggered photothermal antibacterial effects and in vitro photothermal antiosteosarcoma properties. In vitro studies have demonstrated the excellent biocompatibility and osteogenic capabilities of the aerogels, with seeded cells successfully differentiating into osteoblasts and promoting bone regeneration within 21 days.

"We're so excited to share that we have developed a new 3D-printed composite aerogel using mussel foot protein chemistry! This amazing material combines oxidized silk fibroin, tannic acid, and bioactive glass nanofibers. These outstanding properties, including NIR-triggered antibacterial, anti-osteosarcoma, and osteogenic effects indicates promising potential clinical applications", comments PD Dr. Hajar Maleki, who is leading the Functional Bio-inspired Porous Materials Laboratory at the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and is an associated Junior Research Group Leader at the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne.

Additionally, the aerogels exhibited robust enzymatic biodegradability for both the ceramic and organic phases, which is essential for minimizing long-term side effects in clinical applications. The aerogels' structure and composition, which closely resemble natural bone, facilitate the differentiation of stem cells and bone tissue regeneration. Additionally, the NIR-triggered photothermal properties offer a novel approach for targeting and destroying cancer cells.

Comprehensive characterizations and biological validations indicate that this innovative antibacterial scaffold holds exceptional promise as a platform for simultaneous bone regeneration and bone cancer therapy. This study sets the stage for potential clinical applications, offering a transformative solution for patients undergoing osteosarcoma treatment.

"Our study represents a significant advancement in bone tissue engineering, integrating advanced materials to create a multifunctional scaffold that simultaneously addresses both cancer treatment and bone regeneration", comments Hajar Maleki.

Contact
PD Dr. Hajar Maleki
Head - Functional Bio-inspired Porous Materials Laboratory
Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and
associated Junior Research group Leader - Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne
h.maleki[at]uni-Koeln.de
http://functional-porous-materials.uni-koeln.de/home.html

PR-CMMC-Office
Dr Debora Grosskopf-Kroiher - debora.grosskopf-kroiher[at]uni-koeln.de