Macrophage blebs mediate functional mitochondrial transfer and collagen biomineralization
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Critical bone defects pose substantial clinical challenges due to the early hypoxic and inflammatory niche that traps macrophages in a glycolytic state and bottlenecks regeneration. Here, we developed a zwitterionic oxygen-generating scaffold (ZHM@CaO2) that rescues macrophage mitochondrial respiration, driving robust anti-inflammatory M2 polarization. Strikingly, rather than acting merely as indirect signaling hubs, these revived macrophages assume an unprecedented role as direct matrix builders by actively shedding blebs. Fueled by encapsulated, functionally intact donor mitochondria, these autonomous blebs execute energy-demanding tasks independently within the extracellular space. Mechanistically, they exert dual regenerative functions: dictating recipient bone marrow stem cell (BMSC) osteogenesis via intercellular mitochondrial transfer, and directly interacting with the extracellular matrix to catalyze intrafibrillar collagen mineralization, with surface-bound calreticulin (CALR) serving as a macromolecular nucleating template. By demonstrating that immune-derived blebs can directly drive skeletal biomineralization, this study expands the traditional paradigm of bone healing and provides a bioenergetic blueprint for next-generation bio-instructive biomaterials.
ORGANISM(S): Mus Musculus
SUBMITTER:
Wenjin Cai
PROVIDER: PXD080160 | iProX | Wed Jun 24 00:00:00 BST 2026
REPOSITORIES: iProX
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