Optimization of an Injectable, Resorbable, Bioactive Cement Able to Release the Anti-Osteoclastogenic Biomolecule ICOS-Fc for the Treatment of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures

• Published in: Biomolecules (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 13; no. 1; p. 94
• Main Authors: Banche-Niclot, Federica, Corvaglia, Ilaria, Cavalera, Caterina, Boggio, Elena, Gigliotti, Casimiro Luca, Dianzani, Umberto, Tzagiollari, Antzela, Dunne, Nicholas, Manca, Antonio, Fiorilli, Sonia, Vitale-Brovarone, Chiara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 02.01.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Antigens; Biocompatibility; Biological activity; Biomedical materials; Body height; bone; Bone Cements - pharmacology; Bone Cements - therapeutic use; Bone growth; Bone Resorption; Bones; Calcium phosphates; Calcium Sulfate; calcium sulphate; Cement; Composite materials; Compression; Controlled release; Fluoroscopy; Fractures; Fractures, Compression - drug therapy; Humans; ICOS-Fc; Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Protein; injectable cement; Iodine; Ligands; Mechanical properties; mesoporous bioactive glasses; Nanoparticles; Osteoporosis; Physiology; PLGA nanoparticles; Polylactide-co-glycolide; Polymerization; Proteins; Regeneration; Spinal Fractures - drug therapy; Strontium; Vertebrae; Zirconia; calcium sulphate; tissue regeneration; mesoporous bioactive glasses; ICOS-Fc; injectable cement; bone; osteoporosis; PLGA nanoparticles
• ISSN: 2218-273X; 2218-273X
• DOI: 10.3390/biom13010094

Vertebral compression fractures are typical of osteoporosis and their treatment can require the injection of a cement through a minimally invasive procedure to restore vertebral body height. This study reports the development of an injectable calcium sulphate-based composite cement able to stimulate bone regeneration while inhibiting osteoclast bone resorption. To this aim, different types of strontium-containing mesoporous glass particles (Sr-MBG) were added to calcium sulphate powder to impart a pro-osteogenic effect, and the influence of their size and textural features on the cement properties was investigated. Anti-osteoclastogenic properties were conferred by incorporating into poly(lactic-co-glycolic)acid (PLGA) nanoparticles, a recombinant protein able to inhibit osteoclast activity (i.e., ICOS-Fc). Radiopaque zirconia nanoparticles (ZrO ) were also added to the formulation to visualize the cement injection under fluoroscopy. The measured cement setting times were suitable for the clinical practice, and static mechanical testing determined a compressive strength of ca. 8 MPa, comparable to that of human vertebral bodies. In vitro release experiments indicated a sustained release of ICOS-Fc and Sr ions up to 28 days. Overall, the developed cement is promising for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures and has the potential to stimulate bone regeneration while releasing a biomolecule able to limit bone resorption.