Sequential dual-drug delivery of BMP-2 and alendronate from hydroxyapatite-collagen scaffolds for enhanced bone regeneration

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 746 - 10
• Main Authors: Lee, Dongtak, Wufuer, Maierdanjiang, Kim, Insu, Choi, Tae Hyun, Kim, Byung Jun, Jung, Hyo Gi, Jeon, Byoungjun, Lee, Gyudo, Jeon, Ok Hee, Chang, Hak, Yoon, Dae Sung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 12.01.2021; Nature Publishing Group UK; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: Alendronic acid; Biodegradability; Biodegradation; Bisphosphonates; Bone growth; Bone morphogenetic protein 2; Bone morphogenetic proteins; Collagen; Drug delivery; Hydroxyapatite; Microspheres; Regeneration; Side effects; Synergistic effect; Tissue engineering
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80608-3

The clinical use of bioactive molecules in bone regeneration has been known to have side effects, which result from uncontrolled and supraphysiological doses. In this study, we demonstrated the synergistic effect of two bioactive molecules, bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) and alendronate (ALN), by releasing them in a sequential manner. Collagen-hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds functionalized using BMP-2 are loaded with biodegradable microspheres where ALN is encapsulated. The results indicate an initial release of BMP-2 for a few days, followed by the sequential release of ALN after two weeks. The composite scaffolds significantly increase osteogenic activity owing to the synergistic effect of BMP-2 and ALN. Enhanced bone regeneration was identified at eight weeks post-implantation in the rat 8-mm critical-sized defect. Our findings suggest that the sequential delivery of BMP-2 and ALN from the scaffolds results in a synergistic effect on bone regeneration, which is unprecedented. Therefore, such a system exhibits potential for the application of cell-free tissue engineering.