Injectable osteogenic and angiogenic nanocomposite hydrogels for irregular bone defects

Injectable hydrogels with their 3D structure and good moldability serve as excellent scaffolding material for regenerating irregular non load-bearing bone defects. Most of the bone defects do not heal completely due to the lack of vasculature required for the transport of nutrients and oxygen to the regenerating tissues. To enhance vasculature, we developed an injectable hydrogel system made of chitin and poly (butylene succinate) (PBSu) loaded with 250 +/- 20 nm sized fibrin nanoparticles (FNPs) and magnesium-doped bioglass (MBG). FNPs were expected to enhance vascularisation and MBG was expected to help induce early osteogenesis. Composite hydrogels were analysed using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and rheology. Hydrogels with MBG showed a slightly rougher morphology upon SEM analysis. Composites containing 5% MBG and 2% FNPs showed good rheological properties, injectability, temperature stability, biomineralization and protein adsorption. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and rabbit-adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (rASCs) were used for cyto-compatibility studies. Composite gels with 2% FNPs and 2% MBG (composite 1) were considered to be non-toxic to both the cells and were taken for further in vitro studies. Aortic ring assay was carried out to study the angiogenic potential of the hydrogels. The aorta placed with composite hydrogels showed enhanced sprouting of blood vessels. rASCs too showed good spreading on the composite hydrogels. Hydrogels containing MBG showed early initiation of differentiation and higher expression of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin confirming the osteoinductive property of MBG. These studies indicate that this composite hydrogel can be used for regenerating irregular bone defects.