10.57647/pibm.2025.1403.18

Bioactive Photo-crosslinkable GelMA Hydrogel Incorporating Metal Oxide Nanoparticles for Bone Tissue Regeneration

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  • Lígia Espoliar Corrêa1,
  • Ester Alves Ferreira Bordini2,
  • Vitor de Toledo Stuani1,
  • Larissa Álamo1,
  • Ruan Henrique Delmonica Barra3,
  • Erika Soares Bronze-Uhle1,
  • Laura Ferreira Almeida1,
  • Lídia de Oliveira Fernandes4,
  • Carolina Alves Andrade1,
  • Juliano Milanezi de Almeida3,
  • Carlos Alberto de Souza Costa4,
  • Diana Gabriela Soares*1,
  1. Department of Operative Dentistry, Endodontics and Dental Materials, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (USP), Alameda Dr. Octávio Pinheiro Brisolla, 9-75, Bauru, São Paulo, 17012-901, Brazil
  2. Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (USP), Av. do Café - Subsetor Oeste - 11 (N-11), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14040-904, Brazil
  3. Department of Diagnosis and Surgery, School of Dentistry of Araçatuba, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Street José Bonifácio, 1193 - Vila Mendonca, Araçatuba, São Paulo, 16015-050, Brazil
  4. Department of Physiology and Pathology, School of Dentistry of Araraquara, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Street Humaitá, 1680 - Araraquara, São Paulo, 14801-385, Brazil

Received: 2025-07-01

Revised: 2025-11-16

Accepted: 2025-11-16

Published in Issue 2025-12-30

Copyright (c) 2025 Lígia Espoliar Corrêa, Ester Alves Ferreira Bordini, Vitor de Toledo Stuani, Larissa Álamo, Ruan Henrique Delmonica Barra, Erika Soares Bronze-Uhle, Laura Ferreira Almeida, Lídia de Oliveira Fernandes, Carolina Alves Andrade, Juliano Milanezi de Almeida, Carlos Alberto de Souza Costa, Diana Gabriela Soares (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Corrêa, L. E., Ferreira Bordini, E. A., Stuani, V. de T., Álamo, L., Delmonica Barra, R. H., Bronze-Uhle, E. S., Almeida, L. F., Fernandes, L. de O., Andrade, C. A., de Almeida, J. M., de Souza Costa, C. A., & Soares, D. G. (2025). Bioactive Photo-crosslinkable GelMA Hydrogel Incorporating Metal Oxide Nanoparticles for Bone Tissue Regeneration. Progress in Biomaterials, 14(04). https://doi.org/10.57647/pibm.2025.1403.18
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Abstract

This study aimed to develop a photo-crosslinkable and 3D-printable biomaterial, comprising methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) functionalized with magnesium oxide (MgO) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles, as a bioactive scaffold for bone regeneration. Cytocompatible concentrations of MgO and SiO2 were identified using a dose-response assay, and selected formulations were characterized in terms of structural architecture, chemical composition, and cumulative nanoparticle release. Murine calvarial preosteoblasts were seeded onto hydrogels to evaluate long-term viability, proliferation, collagen expression, and mineralized matrix deposition. The formulations were also assessed for extrusion-based 3D printability. MgO and SiO2 at 0.05% and 0.025% (w/v) were used, which positively modulated the GelMA porosity. No chemical modifications to GelMA were detected; instead, the nanoparticles were gradually released. Cell viability was maintained in all groups over 14 days, with enhanced proliferation observed from day 3 onward. All oxide-functionalized GelMA formulations showed increased collagen expression and calcium-rich matrix deposition, with the 0.05% group inducing the greatest mineralization at 14 days. Well-organized 3D-printed meshes were successfully obtained, demonstrating that the combination of bioactivity and high printability can be leveraged for the development of personalized bone therapies. GelMA containing 0.05% MgO and SiO2 exhibited the highest osteogenic activity, representing the most promising platform for bone-tissue regeneration.

Keywords

  • GelMA,
  • Magnesium,
  • Silicon,
  • Bone,
  • Regeneration,
  • 3D-print
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