An injectable multifunctional nanocomposite hydrogel promotes vascularized bone regeneration by regulating macrophages

Abstract The local inflammatory microenvironment, insufficient vascularization, and inadequate bone repair materials are the three key factors that constrain the repair of bone defects. Here, we synthesized a composite nanoparticle, TPQ (TCP-PDA-QK), with a core‒shell structure. The core consists of...

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Main Authors: Huaiyuan Zhang, Yu Wang, Wenyu Qiao, Xueneng Hu, Huifen Qiang, Kuo Xia, Longhai Du, Luling Yang, Yi Bao, Jie Gao, Tinglin Zhang, Zuochong Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Nanobiotechnology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03358-2
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author Huaiyuan Zhang
Yu Wang
Wenyu Qiao
Xueneng Hu
Huifen Qiang
Kuo Xia
Longhai Du
Luling Yang
Yi Bao
Jie Gao
Tinglin Zhang
Zuochong Yu
author_facet Huaiyuan Zhang
Yu Wang
Wenyu Qiao
Xueneng Hu
Huifen Qiang
Kuo Xia
Longhai Du
Luling Yang
Yi Bao
Jie Gao
Tinglin Zhang
Zuochong Yu
author_sort Huaiyuan Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The local inflammatory microenvironment, insufficient vascularization, and inadequate bone repair materials are the three key factors that constrain the repair of bone defects. Here, we synthesized a composite nanoparticle, TPQ (TCP-PDA-QK), with a core‒shell structure. The core consists of nanotricalcium phosphate (TCP), and the shell is derived from polydopamine (PDA). The surface of the shell is modified with a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mimic peptide (QK peptide). TPQ was then embedded in porous methacrylate gelatin (GelMA) to form a TPQGel hydrogel. In the inflammatory environment, the TPQGel hydrogel can gradually release drugs through pH responsiveness, promoting M2 macrophage polarization, vascularization and bone regeneration in turn. In addition, reprogrammed M2 macrophages stimulate the generation of anti-inflammatory and pro-healing growth factors, which provide additional support for angiogenesis and bone regeneration. The TPQGel hydrogel can not only accurately fill irregular bone defects but also has excellent biocompatibility, making it highly suitable for the minimally invasive treatment of bone defects. Transcriptomic tests revealed that the TPQGel hydrogel achieved macrophage reprogramming by regulating the PI3K-AKT signalling pathway. Overall, the TPQGel hydrogel can be harnessed for safe and efficient therapeutics that accelerate the repair of bone defects. Graphical Abstract
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spelling doaj-art-4e01cc0ecf4b490c9145759f03c8cd262025-08-20T02:28:04ZengBMCJournal of Nanobiotechnology1477-31552025-04-0123112410.1186/s12951-025-03358-2An injectable multifunctional nanocomposite hydrogel promotes vascularized bone regeneration by regulating macrophagesHuaiyuan Zhang0Yu Wang1Wenyu Qiao2Xueneng Hu3Huifen Qiang4Kuo Xia5Longhai Du6Luling Yang7Yi Bao8Jie Gao9Tinglin Zhang10Zuochong Yu11Department of Orthopedics, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityDepartment of General Surgery, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityChanghai Clinical Research Unit, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityDigestive Endoscopy Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityBiological Safety Protection 3-Level Laboratory, Guangxi Medical UniversityChanghai Clinical Research Unit, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical UniversityChanghai Clinical Research Unit, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityAbstract The local inflammatory microenvironment, insufficient vascularization, and inadequate bone repair materials are the three key factors that constrain the repair of bone defects. Here, we synthesized a composite nanoparticle, TPQ (TCP-PDA-QK), with a core‒shell structure. The core consists of nanotricalcium phosphate (TCP), and the shell is derived from polydopamine (PDA). The surface of the shell is modified with a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mimic peptide (QK peptide). TPQ was then embedded in porous methacrylate gelatin (GelMA) to form a TPQGel hydrogel. In the inflammatory environment, the TPQGel hydrogel can gradually release drugs through pH responsiveness, promoting M2 macrophage polarization, vascularization and bone regeneration in turn. In addition, reprogrammed M2 macrophages stimulate the generation of anti-inflammatory and pro-healing growth factors, which provide additional support for angiogenesis and bone regeneration. The TPQGel hydrogel can not only accurately fill irregular bone defects but also has excellent biocompatibility, making it highly suitable for the minimally invasive treatment of bone defects. Transcriptomic tests revealed that the TPQGel hydrogel achieved macrophage reprogramming by regulating the PI3K-AKT signalling pathway. Overall, the TPQGel hydrogel can be harnessed for safe and efficient therapeutics that accelerate the repair of bone defects. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03358-2Inflammatory microenvironmentBone defectsCore‒shell structureM2 macrophage polarizationVascularizationBone regeneration
spellingShingle Huaiyuan Zhang
Yu Wang
Wenyu Qiao
Xueneng Hu
Huifen Qiang
Kuo Xia
Longhai Du
Luling Yang
Yi Bao
Jie Gao
Tinglin Zhang
Zuochong Yu
An injectable multifunctional nanocomposite hydrogel promotes vascularized bone regeneration by regulating macrophages
Journal of Nanobiotechnology
Inflammatory microenvironment
Bone defects
Core‒shell structure
M2 macrophage polarization
Vascularization
Bone regeneration
title An injectable multifunctional nanocomposite hydrogel promotes vascularized bone regeneration by regulating macrophages
title_full An injectable multifunctional nanocomposite hydrogel promotes vascularized bone regeneration by regulating macrophages
title_fullStr An injectable multifunctional nanocomposite hydrogel promotes vascularized bone regeneration by regulating macrophages
title_full_unstemmed An injectable multifunctional nanocomposite hydrogel promotes vascularized bone regeneration by regulating macrophages
title_short An injectable multifunctional nanocomposite hydrogel promotes vascularized bone regeneration by regulating macrophages
title_sort injectable multifunctional nanocomposite hydrogel promotes vascularized bone regeneration by regulating macrophages
topic Inflammatory microenvironment
Bone defects
Core‒shell structure
M2 macrophage polarization
Vascularization
Bone regeneration
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03358-2
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