Outer-inner Dual Reinforced Micro/Nano Hierarchical Scaffolds for Promoting Osteogenesis

Biomimetic scaffolds have been extensively studied for guiding osteogenesis through structural cues. Inspired by the natural bone growth process, we have employed a hierarchical outer-inner dual reinforcing strategy, which relies on the interfacial ionic bond interaction between amine/calcium and carboxyl group, to build a nanofiber/particle dual strengthened hierarchical silk fibroin scaffold. The scaffold can provide applicable form of osteogenic structural cue and mimic the natural bone forming process. Owing to the active interaction between compositions located in the outer pore space and the inner pore wall, the scaffold has over 4 times improvement on mechanical property, followed by significant alteration on cell-scaffold interaction pattern, demonstrated by over 2 times’ elevation on the spreading area and enhanced osteogenic activity potentially involving activities of integrin, Vinculin and Yes-associated protein (YAP). In vivo performance of the scaffold identified the inherent osteogenic effect of structural cue, which promotes rapid and uniform regeneration. Overall, the hierarchical scaffold is promising in promoting uniform bone regeneration through its specific structural cue endowed by its micro-nano construction. ; Peer reviewed