Journal of Biomaterials Applications最新文献

{"title":"Targeted immune modulation through smart biomaterials and programmable biopharmaceuticals: A review.","authors":"Hosein Yousefi, Cobra Moradian","doi":"10.1177/08853282261483961","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08853282261483961","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Immune-mediated diseases remain a major global health challenge, while current immunotherapies are often limited by systemic toxicity, poor tissue selectivity, and insufficient control over immune responses. This review examines recent advances in targeted immune modulation through smart biomaterials, programmable biopharmaceuticals, and hybrid biomaterial-biologic systems. A structured literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed studies published between 2022 and 2026 from major biomedical databases. The reviewed evidence indicates that smart biomaterials can respond to disease-associated microenvironmental signals, such as pH changes, hypoxia, oxidative stress, and inflammatory enzymes, enabling localized and context-dependent therapeutic activity. Programmable biopharmaceuticals further enhance precision by directing immune-cell behavior and molecular signaling through engineered biological mechanisms. In addition, hybrid biomaterial-biologic platforms combine environmental responsiveness with the potency of biologic therapeutics, improving immune targeting and reducing unintended systemic effects. Collectively, these technologies support a transition from conventional systemic immunomodulation toward adaptive and site-specific immune control. Despite significant progress, important challenges remain, including biological complexity, manufacturing scalability, long-term safety assessment, and regulatory translation. Nevertheless, the convergence of biomaterials science, synthetic biology, and immunoengineering is creating new opportunities for precision immunotherapy. Targeted immune modulation through programmable and responsive therapeutic systems represents a promising framework for developing safer, more effective, and clinically durable next-generation immunomodulatory therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"8853282261483961"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149206875","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatiotemporal controlled delivery of insulin via supramolecular albumin stearate nanoparticles as a growth factor-mimetic system for soft tissue regeneration.","authors":"Shona Sara Shaji, Rashmi Radhakrishnan, Ayana K P, Kaladhar Kamalasanan","doi":"10.1177/08853282261496664","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08853282261496664","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Biomimetic growth factor substitutes (BGFSs) can be designed to reproduce selected properties of growth-factor such as; presentation during tissue regeneration and controlled local availability. In this study, nanoparticles are designed in such a way that, the nanoparticle does gradient temporal delivery for chemotaxis followed by residual insulin in the nanoparticles for spatial presentation leading to a regenerative nanoparticle of insulin as a growth factor substitute. FTIR and NMR analyses supported the association of stearate with albumin. The optimized nanoparticles had an average diameter of 210 nm by DLS and a zeta potential of -35.6 mV. SEM and HRTEM analyses showed nanoscale and submicroscopic structures with elongated and higher-order morphologies, wherein insulin loading is associated with changes in particle organization. The BGFS showed sustained insulin release for up to 240 hours, with approximately 40% of the insulin released during this period, while the remaining insulin was retained within the matrix. The nanoparticles showed low hemolysis (<5%), high cellular viability (74-94%), and physical stability under refrigerated conditions. In a full-thickness wound model in rats, the formulation is associated with improved wound healing response from histology, including collagen deposition and neovascularization, without detectable hypoglycemia. Overall, the insulin-albumin stearate system shows potential as a controlled-release nanomedicine for soft-tissue regeneration and accelerated wound healing.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"8853282261496664"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149194121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advances in photothermal therapy for antibacterial biomedical materials: Photothermal agents, near-infrared windows, and combination strategies.","authors":"Tingting Yang, Chengming Zhang, Hui Xia, Dexin Wang, Qi Shi, Tai Peng","doi":"10.1177/08853282261497832","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08853282261497832","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bacterial infections, particularly those involving multidrug-resistant pathogens and biofilm-associated infections in wound and implant-related settings, remain difficult to treat with conventional antibiotics alone. Photothermal therapy (PTT) has emerged as a non-antibiotic antibacterial strategy owing to its localized heat generation, broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, spatial controllability, and low risk of inducing conventional drug resistance. The antibacterial efficacy of PTT is largely governed by photothermal agents (PTAs), whose light absorption capacity, photothermal conversion efficiency, structural stability, biosafety, and bacterial interfacial interactions determine therapeutic performance. This review summarizes recent advances in antibacterial PTT from the perspectives of PTA design, excitation windows, and therapeutic integration. Representative first near-infrared window (NIR-I) PTAs, including noble metal nanomaterials, carbon-based nanomaterials, metal sulfides/oxides, metal-organic frameworks, and organic PTAs, are discussed with emphasis on their structural characteristics, photothermal mechanisms, surface regulation strategies, and antibacterial performance. Recent progress in second near-infrared window (NIR-II) PTAs is then highlighted, particularly their advantages in deeper tissue penetration, biofilm treatment, imaging-guided therapy, and precise intervention in complex infections. PTT-based combination strategies involving photodynamic therapy, chemodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy are also reviewed to illustrate how localized heat can synergize with oxidative damage, catalytic radical generation, immune modulation, and infection microenvironment regulation to enhance antibacterial efficacy. Finally, challenges and future directions of antibacterial PTT are discussed, including improving PTA stability and biocompatibility, minimizing thermal damage to normal tissues, enhancing infection-site responsiveness, and promoting clinical translation. Overall, this review provides a materials and biointerface perspective on how PTA design, NIR excitation, and therapeutic integration can guide the development of effective antibacterial photothermal platforms and their clinical translation.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"8853282261497832"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149166649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biomaterials for spinal cord injury repair: Advances and Challenges-A review.","authors":"Yi Dang, Zhonghong Xin, Dingmei Zhang, Zhao Liu, Ya Shen, Junqiang Lei","doi":"10.1177/08853282261494281","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08853282261494281","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Spinal cord injury (SCI) represents a severe traumatic condition of the nervous system, often resulting in ongoing neurological impairment that profoundly impacts patients' quality of life. Conventional therapeutic approaches (including surgical decompression, medication and rehabilitation training) have demonstrated limited efficacy in promoting nerve regeneration, while recent advances in biomaterials research have provided a new treatment paradigm for this disease. This review systematically explains the application forms and major advancements of biomaterials in SCI repair. It focuses on analyzing the structural characteristics and functional advantages of natural polymers, synthetic polymers and composite materials. Additionally, it discusses the multifunctional roles of biomaterials as cell carriers, drug/factor delivery systems and physical scaffolds. The article provides a detailed introduction to the functional design strategies of biomaterial systems, including their innovative applications in actively regulating cells fate, controlling the release of bioactive molecules and reconstructing the electrical microenvironment. Meanwhile, it summarizes related preclinical studies and clinical trial progress, objectively evaluating the therapeutic effects and limitations of various biomaterial strategies. Although challenges remain in areas such as immune response control, standardized manufacturing and individualized treatment, through multidisciplinary collaboration, integrated therapeutic strategies based on biomaterials hold the potential to combine various treatment methods, overcome the multiple obstacles to spinal cord repair and regeneration and bring new hope for individuals suffering from SCI.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"8853282261494281"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149172325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Decellularized lung extracellular matrix-assisted delivery of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in acute lung injury.","authors":"Hsiu-Yi Chin, Chen-Yu Kao, Kun-Lun Huang, Shiao-Pieng Lee","doi":"10.1177/08853282261496666","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08853282261496666","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) have emerged as promising cell-free therapeutics for inflammatory and tissue injury. However, their pulmonary application may be limited by rapid redistribution and the lack of a tissue-specific microenvironment. In this study, lung-derived decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) was investigated as a biologically relevant matrix for pulmonary delivery of MSC-derived extracellular vesicles. The physicochemical characteristics of the extracellular vesicles were evaluated using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cryogenic electron microscopy (Cryo-EM). To examine early pulmonary localization, Coumarin-6-labeled extracellular vesicles were administered intratracheally, and frozen lung sections were examined 2 h after administration. Free Coumarin-6 produced a diffuse fluorescence pattern, whereas labeled extracellular vesicles exhibited discrete punctate fluorescence. The dECM-containing formulation showed a more clustered fluorescence pattern, suggesting altered local distribution of extracellular vesicle-associated material within the lung. In vitro, MSC-EVs reduced TNF-α production by activated THP-1-derived macrophages without detectable cytotoxicity in L929 cells. In a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat model of acute lung injury, extracellular vesicle treatment reduced TNF-α and increased IL-10 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, accompanied by partial preservation of lung architecture. Notably, ECM-assisted extracellular vesicle treatment produced a greater reduction in MMP-9 and a more favorable MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio than extracellular vesicles alone. These findings suggest that lung-derived dECM can provide a biologically relevant matrix environment for pulmonary extracellular vesicle delivery and may contribute to modulation of extracellular matrix remodeling during early acute lung injury. Further studies using quantitative biodistribution, longitudinal retention, release kinetics, and cellular uptake analyses are warranted to establish the mechanisms underlying dECM-assisted extracellular vesicle delivery.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"8853282261496666"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149164840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Iron oxide nanoparticles for hepatocellular carcinoma theranostics: From nanoplatform design to clinical translation.","authors":"Rina Cheng","doi":"10.1177/08853282261496086","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08853282261496086","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The challenges in early diagnosis and effective treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are largely attributable to the underlying cirrhosis, impaired hepatic reserve, and the added complexity of heterogeneous tumor vascularity in many patients. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are promising platforms for HCC diagnosis and treatment because of their magnetic properties, tunable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast, magnetothermal conversion capability, and modifiable surface chemistry. These features enable IONPs to be used for image-guided diagnosis, liver-directed locoregional therapy, systemic drug delivery, and treatment monitoring. In this review, we summarize the composition, crystal structure, size-dependent magnetic properties, surface modification, and in vivo fate of IONPs, along with how these characteristics influence their performance in HCC imaging and therapy. For diagnostic applications, we focus on passive accumulation, particularly mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS)-mediated hepatic contrast, ligand-mediated active targeting, and multimodal imaging. We then review therapeutic strategies, including magnetic hyperthermia (MHT), stimuli-responsive drug delivery, and combination therapy. Major barriers to clinical translation are also addressed, encompassing the heterogeneous enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, high background uptake by non-tumoral liver tissue, liver function-related safety concerns, limitations of alternating magnetic fields, and manufacturing reproducibility.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"8853282261496086"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149165365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experimental study of graphene oxide/hydrogel composite promoting intervertebral disc regeneration.","authors":"Yi Liu, Haiyan Xu, Jun Hu, Xin Wang, Jilun Chen, Xi Chen, Zhigang Zhao","doi":"10.1177/08853282261490031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08853282261490031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Graphene oxide (GO) promotes cell adhesion and chondrogenic differentiation, while thermosensitive hydrogels enable injectable and in situ gelling for minimally invasive repair. This study prepared a GO/thermosensitive block copolymer (PEP) composite hydrogel and evaluated its effects on nucleus pulposus cell (NPC) behavior and intervertebral disc regeneration. GO was synthesized by a modified Hummers method and PEP by atom transfer radical polymerization. GO/PEP hydrogels with varying GO concentrations (0-1.0 mg/mL) were formulated. NPCs isolated from rat coccygeal discs were treated with GO/PEP extracts; cell proliferation was assessed by CCK_8 and viability by Calcein_AM/PI staining. In vivo, a mouse tail puncture_induced intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) model was established. Mice were randomized into sham, PBS_treated IDD, and GO/PEP_treated IDD groups (<i>n</i> = 8/group). At 4 and 8 weeks post_injection, disc tissues were harvested for histology and NPC counting. GO/PEP extracts dose_dependently reduced NPC mortality (significant at GO ≥0.1 mg/mL, <i>p</i> < 0.05) and increased NPC proliferation (significant at GO ≥0.2 mg/mL, <i>p</i> < 0.01). In the IDD model at 4 weeks, NPC count in the IDD + PBS group (103 ± 15.34) was significantly lower than in the sham group (675 ± 12.75, <i>p</i> < 0.001). The GO/PEP group showed increased NPC count at 4 weeks (337 ± 21.47, <i>p</i> < 0.01 vs sham) and further recovery at 8 weeks (665 ± 14.58, not significantly different from sham, <i>p</i> > 0.05). Histological analysis revealed restored annulus fibrosus integrity, even NPC distribution, reduced central cavity, and enhanced proteoglycan recovery. In conclusion, the GO/PEP thermosensitive hydrogel exhibits excellent biocompatibility and injectability, inhibits NPC apoptosis, promotes proliferation, and restores degenerated disc structure, offering a promising cell_free, minimally invasive strategy for IDD treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"8853282261490031"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149136721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"PLEKHA5-targeted photothermal-gene combination therapy via mPDA@DMEA@siRNA nanoparticles suppresses melanoma progression.","authors":"Zijie Li, Fengyuan Zhang, Junli Hao, Lei Zhang","doi":"10.1177/08853282261494305","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08853282261494305","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Melanoma is an aggressive skin malignancy characterized by high metastatic potential and resistance to current systemic therapies, highlighting the need for novel molecularly targeted and minimally invasive treatment strategies. Photothermal therapy enables localized tumor ablation with reduced systemic toxicity; however, its monotherapeutic efficacy is limited by incomplete tumor elimination and adaptive cellular stress responses. To address these limitations, we employed an integrative bioinformatics approach combining bulk transcriptomic analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, single-cell RNA sequencing, survival analysis, and three machine learning algorithms to identify melanoma-relevant therapeutic targets. This analysis identified PLEKHA5 as a key melanoma-associated gene with significant prognostic value and preferential expression in malignant cell populations. We then engineered a mesoporous polydopamine-based nanoplatform, mPDA@DMEA@siRNA, for concurrent PLEKHA5 gene silencing and near-infrared (NIR)-driven photothermal therapy. In this system, mPDA serves as the photothermal core, and surface modification with N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (DMEA) enables efficient electrostatic siRNA loading. The nanoplatform exhibited favorable physicochemical properties, broad NIR absorption, and potent photothermal conversion. <i>In vitro</i>, mPDA@DMEA@siRNA combined with NIR irradiation induced A375 melanoma cell death, enhanced reactive oxygen species generation, and silenced PLEKHA5 at both mRNA and protein levels. In an A375 xenograft model, mPDA@DMEA@siRNA markedly suppressed tumor growth, with histological analyses showing decreased proliferation, increased apoptotic cell death, reduced angiogenesis, and effective PLEKHA5 silencing. Systemic biosafety was supported by normal hematological parameters, stable serum biochemical indices, and absence of major organ pathology. Collectively, this study identifies PLEKHA5 as a candidate therapeutic target and demonstrates that mPDA@DMEA@siRNA is a promising nanoplatform for photothermal-gene combination therapy in melanoma.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"8853282261494305"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149136679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A dual-targeted, pH-sensitive cationic liposomal system co-delivering paclitaxel and siCXCR2 for synergistic inhibition of lung cancer cells in vitro.","authors":"Zejin Shen, Xuran Kou, Mingyuan Wang, Songhe Shen, Na Fang","doi":"10.1177/08853282261494309","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08853282261494309","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lung cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Paclitaxel (PTX), a first-line chemotherapeutic agent for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is frequently compromised by acquired drug resistance. Here, through network pharmacology analysis and experimental validation, we identified CXCR2 as a key regulator of PTX resistance. Based on this finding, we developed a pH-sensitive cationic liposomal system for co-delivery of PTX and CXCR2-targeting siRNA (siCXCR2). In contrast to traditional liposomes, which suffer from several drawbacks-poor stability, susceptibility to phospholipid oxidation and hydrolysis, inconsistent targeting efficiency, and a tendency to accumulate in the liver and kidneys-the liposomes developed herein exhibit moderate particle size, high physiological stability, and effective protection of siRNA against nuclease degradation. Surface modification with YSA and SS31 targeting peptides further enhanced cellular uptake and intracellular delivery. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the liposomes achieved a CXCR2 mRNA silencing efficiency of nearly 50%. In the A549 cell line, the mean apoptosis rates for the HA/siCXCR2/PTX, HA/siNC/PTX and PTX monotherapy groups were 35.1%, 23.4% and 14.4%, respectively. This suggests that liposomes loaded with siCXCR2 sensitize A549 cells to PTX and enhance PTX-induced apoptosis. Overall, this study has established a novel YSA/SS31 dual-targeted pH-sensitive cationic liposome platform to enable the co-delivery of PTX and siCXCR2, providing an in vitro intervention strategy with broad prospects for overcoming chemoresistance in lung cancer and improving treatment outcomes. Furthermore, this system effectively reversed chemoresistance and enhanced cytotoxicity, contributing to synergistic anti-tumor effects. However, it should be noted that this study is currently limited to in vitro validation and requires further in vivo experiments and preclinical evaluation.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"8853282261494309"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149136736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preparation and performance study of strontium-carboxymethyl chitosan/silk fibroin/gelatin composite cartilage scaffolds.","authors":"Changcheng Wang, Mingxi Gu, Tianyi Song, Xiaochen Wang, Lin Guo, Fengde Tian, Bo Liu, Dewei Zhao","doi":"10.1177/08853282261436162","DOIUrl":"10.1177/08853282261436162","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Articular cartilage exhibits extremely poor self-repair capacity, often leading to osteoarthritis. This study aims to develop a strontium-containing porous composite cartilage scaffold (CMCS-Sr-Gel-SF) that combines bioactivity with mechanical support for cartilage injury repair.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>First, the carboxymethyl chitosan strontium (CMCS-Sr) composite was synthesized via a solution reaction method and characterized using EDS, XRD, and FTIR. Subsequently, pure scaffolds were prepared using CMCS-Sr at different concentrations, and their microstructure, mechanical properties, and cytotoxicity were evaluated via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), universal testing machine, and MTT assay. Based on this, CMCS-Sr at the optimal bioactive concentration (300 μg/mL) was selected and combined with silk fibroin (SF) and gelatin (Gel) to construct four three-dimensional porous scaffolds using vacuum freeze-drying technology. These scaffolds underwent a series of physicochemical characterizations, including SEM, XRD, FTIR, swelling rate, porosity, in vitro degradation rate, and mechanical properties. Cell proliferation during co-culture with chondrocytes was assessed using the CCK-8 assay to evaluate their biocompatibility.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Characterization results confirm that strontium ions successfully coordinate with CMCS to form stable CMCS-Sr complexes. While the pure CMCS-Sr scaffold exhibits excellent porosity (average pore size 167 ± 43.58 μm) and chondrocyte proliferation-promoting activity, its mechanical strength (compressive modulus of 185.82 kPa at 9% concentration) falls significantly short of natural cartilage requirements. The composite scaffold CMCS-Sr-Gel-SF demonstrated balanced comprehensive properties: an appropriate three-dimensional porous structure (pore size 167 ± 53.68 μm, porosity 81.62 ± 3.65%), excellent water absorption and swelling rate (2007 ± 157.3%), controllable degradation rate (53.33 ± 4.16% degradation at 28 days), and significantly enhanced compressive modulus (approximately 0.63 MPa). In vitro cell experiments demonstrate that the CMCS-Sr-Gel-SF scaffold effectively supports chondrocyte adhesion and proliferation, with cells maintaining vigorous growth activity throughout the 10-days culture period.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The CMCS-Sr-Gel-SF scaffold successfully mimics the structure of natural extracellular matrix, enabling sustained release of strontium ions while creating a microenvironment that promotes cartilage tissue regeneration.</p>","PeriodicalId":15138,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomaterials Applications","volume":" ","pages":"507-518"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147574021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}