Bioinspired 3D Bone Model: Mimicking the Cortical-Spongy Bone Architecture and Biology for Enhanced Physiological Representation of Bone.

ABSTRACT: 3D bone models are essential for studying bone physiology, developing therapies, and reducing animal use. Inspired by the hierarchical anatomy of the bone, we shaped previously developed gellan gum-hydroxyapatite spongy-like hydrogels into an outer ring and an inner disc to anatomically represent the cortical and spongy bone, respectively. Biomaterial properties remained stable postmolding, with the polymeric networks absorbing up to 500% of water and exhibiting 4 kPa stiffness. The outer ring was populated with human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (HBM-MSCs) and showed the expression of osteogenic genes (ALP/Runx-2/OPN/BSP) by day 14, with ALP and Runx-2 upregulated from day 7 (p < 0.5). Models also released angiogenic factors crucial for vasculogenesis, up to an average of 855

SUBMITTER: Bastos AR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12820933 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature