Hierarchical micro-/nanostructured hydroxyapatite scaffolds promote osteoporotic bone regeneration via activation of hedgehog and HIF-1α signaling.

ABSTRACT: Osteoporotic bone defects remain a major clinical challenge due to impaired osteogenesis, disrupted angiogenesis, and poor scaffold integration. To overcome these limitations, we developed hierarchical micro-/nanostructured hydroxyapatite (nwHA) scaffolds by integrating morphology-specific nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) onto whisker-reinforced hydroxyapatite (wHA) scaffolds. This modular strategy decouples mechanical strength from interfacial bioactivity, enabling programmable topographical control. Five distinct nHA morphologies were used to functionalize wHA scaffolds, which were systematically evaluated both in vitro and in osteoporotic rat models. Among them, nanofiber-coated scaffolds (nwHA1) significantly enhanced bone volume fraction, mineral apposition rate, mechanical strength, and neov

SUBMITTER: Zhao R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12919287 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature