Locally Controlled Diffusive Release of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Using Micropatterned Gelatin Methacrylate Hydrogel Carriers

In this work, a novel and simple bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 carrier is developed, which enables localized and controlled release of BMP-2 and facilitates bone regeneration. BMP-2 is localized in the gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) micropatterns on hydrophilic semi-permeable membrane (SNM), and its controlled release is regulated by the concentration of GelMA hydrogel and BMP-2. The controlled release of BMP-2 is verified using computational analysis and quantified using fluorescein isothiocyanate-bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA) diffusion model. The osteogenic differentiation of osteosarcoma MG-63 cells is manipulated by localized and controlled BMP-2 release. The calcium deposits are significantly higher and the actin skeletal networks are denser in MG-63 cells cultured in the BMP-2-immobilized GelMA micropattern than in the absence of BMP-2. The proposed BMP-2 carrier is expected to not only act as a barrier membrane that can prevent invasion of connective tissue during bone regeneration, but also as a carrier capable of localizing and controlling the release of BMP-2 due to GelMA micropatterning on SNM. This approach can be extensively applied to tissue engineering, including the localization and encapsulation of cells or drugs.