Sulfated chitosan enhances BMP-2-mediated spinal fusion via skeletal stem cell rejuvenation in aging.

ABSTRACT: Spinal degenerative diseases in elderly patients often require spinal fusion, but outcomes are limited by an aging microenvironment and stem cell dysfunction or depletion. In this study, we developed a bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2)/sulfated chitosan (SCS)/calcium phosphate cement (CPC) composite scaffold to enhance spinal fusion in aged mice. BMP-2/SCS significantly improved spinal fusion success rates (83.3 %) compared to BMP-2 alone (16.7 %) and high-dose BMP-2 (50 %). The BMP-2/SCS group promoted robust new bone formation and H-type vessel development, facilitating vascular-bone coupling in the fusion region. Mechanistically, SCS suppressed BMP-2-induced osteoclast overactivation and reduced MMP-9 secretion, leading to vertebral skeletal stem cell (vSSC) rejuvenation. Rejuvenated

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12628054 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature