Early healing of alveolar bone promoted by microRNA-21-loaded nanoparticles combined with Bio-Oss particles

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Vol. 401; p. 126026
• Main Authors: Li, Xueping, Li, Sidi, Qi, Hongzhao, Han, Donglin, Chen, Ning, Zhan, Qi, Li, Zhaoyang, Zhao, Jin, Hou, Xin, Yuan, Xubo, Yang, Xianjin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2020
• Subjects: Alveolar bone; Bio-Oss particles; Early healing; MicroRNA-21 nanoparticles; Early healing; Bio-Oss particles; MicroRNA-21 nanoparticles; Alveolar bone
• ISSN: 1385-8947; 1873-3212
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.126026

The microRNA-21 nanoparticles are synthesized through in situ free radical polymerization to form a polymer shell on the outside of the microRNA-21, for protecting microRNA-21 from enzymes and electrolytes attack in oral environment. PEG segments contribute to reduce protein adsorption, weakening the interaction between microRNA nanoparticles and enzymes or bacteria. The polymer shell completely encapsulates the microRNAs, allowing the nanoparticles to protect genes from electrolyte interference. The weak positive charge of the nanoparticles endows the vector with higher transfection efficiency. Acid degradability guarantees the nanoparticles to stably exist in the oral environment until these particles are uptaken by cells due to endocytosis and subsequently release the loaded microRNAs. The microRNA-21 nanoparticles induce stem cells into the osteoblasts, while the porous Bio-Oss particles make space for the growth of bone tissue. The microRNA-mediated biofunctionalized scaffold greatly reduces the recovery time of alveolar bone from the ordinary 2–3 months to 2 weeks, and simultaneously improves the quality of new bone in the alveolar fossa. Great potential can be seen for the microRNA-mediated biofunctionalized scaffold on the future dental application. [Display omitted] •A system of miR-21 nanoparticles loaded on a Bio-Oss scaffold is constructed.•The system greatly reduces the recovery time of alveolar bone from 2 months to 2 weeks.•The special nanoparticle vector protects gene from invalidity in complicated oral environment.•The vector enables effective miRNAs delivery thus realizing gene therapy on alveolar bone.•MiR-21 is demonstrated for the first time to promote early healing of alveolar bone. Features of rapid loss and inadequate bone mass of alveolar bone after teeth extraction are still great obstacles for a successful subsequential dental implantation. MicroRNA-based therapy, though an advantageous strategy in tissue regeneration, is still not available for alveolar bone due to the unique complicated oral environment which is full of enzymes and electrolytes. In this paper, a microRNA-activated scaffold constituted of microRNA-21 nanoparticles combined with porous Bio-Oss particles was designed for the use of accelerating the early stage healing of the alveolar bone. It was noteworthy that the regeneration of alveolar bone was rapidly promoted to be shortened from the ordinary 3 months to 2 weeks. The nanoparticles designed by us according to the oral environment could protect microRNA from various enzymes and electrolytes attack, leading to a steady, continuous, and efficient delivery of gene. With the aid of porous Bio-Oss, microRNA-21 released in situ and its effects on highly reducing the recovery time and improving the quality of newly formed bone at the alveolar site were confirmed for the first time. Great potential could be seen for the microRNA-mediated biofunctionalized scaffold on the future dental application.