Diatomaceous cross-species constructs for tendon-to-bone regeneration

Abstract

Diatoms, the typical marine algae with autotrophic oxygen generation and siliceous frustules, are anticipated to address the current obstacle of oxygen deprivation, cellular dysfunction, and repair imperfection in most intricate damaged tissues. Here, we are motivated to apply the Chaetoceros species, an ancient diatom, to an engineered cross-species domesticator for challenging tendon-to-bone injuries. This construct augmented the osteotendinous differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells, stamped by the silicon ions released from frustules and the up-regulated oxygen through photosynthetic behavior. The biocompatibility was at the forefront without adverse effects on rat subcutaneous models. The construct promoted hypoxia alleviation and locomotion recovery of rotator-cuff-torn (RCT) rat models. Pre-differentiated constructs induced by sacrificial diatoms displayed superb interface maturation in RCT rabbit models. The photosynthesis and inorganic ion interactive regeneration within a cross-species construct permits the creation of such a diatom-derived artificial domesticator, promising a paradigm shift towards the accomplishment of state-of-the-art regeneration comparable to natural tissues.