Low-concentration GOQD-functionalized Ti6Al4V scaffolds enhance osteogenesis and angiogenesis for vascularized bone regeneration

Abstract

Graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) possess excellent biocompatibility and have demonstrated potential to enhance osteogenesis and angiogenesis. The objective of this work was to construct Ti6Al4V porous scaffolds modified with different GOQD concentrations and investigate their influence on osteogenesis and angiogenesis. Porous Ti6Al4V scaffolds were coated with GOQDs at concentrations of 0.1, 1, and 10 μg/mL. The proliferation and adhesion of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on these scaffolds were evaluated using CCK-8 assay, immunofluorescence staining, and real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In vivo bone regeneration and angiogenesis were assessed through micro-computed tomography imaging and tissue section staining analysis. The results demonstrated successful deposition of GOQDs and the presence of characteristic functional groups. In vitro assays demonstrated that scaffolds coated with 0.1 μg/mL GOQDs significantly promoted the osteogenic/ angiogenic differentiation of BMSCs and HUVECs. In vivo experiments revealed that the 0.1 μg/mL GOQDs-coated scaffold (GQ@TC4) significantly enhanced bone formation and vascularization after 12 weeks. These findings suggest that Ti6Al4V biomimetic porous scaffolds functionalized with an optimal concentration (0.1 μg/ mL) of GOQDs can effectively promote both osteogenesis and angiogenesis, offering a promising strategy for bone defect repair.

Keywords

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells / Graphene oxide quantum dots / Human umbilical vein endothelial cells / Ti6Al4V biomimetic porous scaffolds / Vascularized bone regeneration

Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (No. 81974146), the Guangdong Natural Sciences Foundation (No. 2023A1515012554), the Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University (Grant No. 2023SZ-B01), and the International Postdoctoral Exchange Fellowship Program 2023 by the Human Resources and Social Security Department of Guangdong Province.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this article.

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