Ionic release from bioactive SiO2-CaOCME/poly(tetrahydrofuran)/poly(caprolactone) hybrids drives human-bone marrow stromal cell osteogenic differentiation

This study demonstrates that dissolution products of inorganic/organic SiO₂-CaO_CME/PTHF/PCL-diCOOH hybrid (70S30C_CME-CL) drive human bone marrow stromal cells (h-BMSCs) down an osteogenic pathway with the production of mineralised matrix. We investigated osteogenesis through combined analyses of mRNA dynamics for key markers and targeted staining of mineralised matrix. We demonstrate that h-BMSCs undergo accelerated differentiation in vitro in response to the 70S30C_CME-CL ionic milieu, as compared to incubation with osteogenic media. Extracts from 70S30C_CME-CL promote osteogenesis by inducing changes in cellular metabolic activity, promoting changes in cell morphology consistent with the osteogenic lineage, and by enhancing mineralisation of hydroxyapatite in the extracellular matrix. Additionally, our results show that 70S30C_CME-CL hybrids prove sustained functional resilience by maintaining osteostimulatory effects despite cumulated dissolution cycles. In co-differentiation medium, 70S30C_CME-CL ionic release can modulate signalling pathways associated with non-osteogenic functions, further supporting their potential for bone regeneration applications. Overall, our study provides compelling experimental evidence that the 70S30C_CME-CL hybrid is a promising biomaterial for bone tissue regeneration applications.