Abstract

High serum levels of Wnt antagonists are known to be involved in delayed bone defect healing. Pharmaceutically active implant materials that can modulate the micromilieu of bone defects with regard to Wnt antagonists are therefore considered promising to support defect regeneration. In this study, we show the versatility of a macromer based biomaterial platform to systematically optimize covalent surface decoration with high-sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sHA3) for efficient scavenging of Wnt antagonist sclerostin. Film surfaces representing scaffold implants were cross-copolymerized from three-armed biodegradable macromers and glycidylmethacrylate and covalently decorated with various polyetheramine linkers. The impact of linker properties (size, branching) and density on sHA3 functionalization efficiency and scavenging capacities for sclerostin was tested. The copolymerized 2D system allowed for finding an optimal, cytocompatible formulation for sHA3 functionalization. On these optimized sHA3 decorated films, we showed efficient scavenging of Wnt antagonists DKK1 and sclerostin, whereas Wnt agonist Wnt3a remained in the medium of differentiating SaOS-2 and hMSC. Consequently, qualitative and quantitative analysis of hydroxyapatite staining as a measure for osteogenic differentiation revealed superior mineralization on sHA3 materials. In conclusion, we showed how our versatile material platform enables us to efficiently scavenge and inactivate Wnt antagonists from the osteogenic micromilieu. We consider this a promising approach to reduce the negative effects of Wnt antagonists in regeneration of bone defects via sHA3 decorated macromer based macroporous implants.

Highlights

  • In regenerative medicine the ability to vary characteristics of applied materials in a well-defined manner is of great importance [1]

  • We show the versatility of a macromer based biomaterial platform to systematically optimize covalent surface decoration with high-sulfated glycosaminoglycans for efficient scavenging of Wnt antagonist sclerostin

  • On these optimized sHA3 decorated films, we showed efficient scavenging of Wnt antagonists DKK1 and sclerostin, whereas Wnt agonist Wnt3a remained in the medium of differentiating SaOS-2 and hMSC

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Summary

Introduction

In regenerative medicine the ability to vary characteristics of applied materials in a well-defined manner is of great importance [1]. Surface modification offers an opportunity to add further pharmaceutically beneficial functionalities to the material-inherent properties of e.g. scaffolds [3]. In a clinical context the modification may enhance material integration and tissue regeneration [4]. Linker molecules carrying accessible functional groups enable a controlled binding of bioactive molecules and thereby pharmaceutical functionalization [5]. Discussed linker properties are length and density on the surface, which are decisive for an effective presentation of functionalizing molecules to the materials surroundings [6,7]. A local application at defined defect sites is a main advantage in comparison to systemically administered active ingredients

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