Magnetic nanohydroxyapatite–peptide silk fibroin hydrogel induces osteogenesis in canine periodontal ligament stem cells revealed by proteomic analysis

The architecture of bone defects presents a challenge in designing scaffolds that support structural integrity and enhance osteoinduction. To address this, a noninvasive injectable silk fibroin (SF)-based hydrogel incorporating magnetic nanohydroxyapatite (MHAp) and osteogenic growth peptide (OGP) was developed. This study investigated the osteogenic differentiation potential of the hydrogel and its underlying mechanism on canine periodontal ligament stem cells (cPDLSCs). The incorporation of MHAp and/or OGP significantly enhanced osteogenic differentiation as evidenced by increased alkaline phosphatase activity, osteogenic marker expression, and biomineralization. Proteomics analysis revealed that TGF-β, BMP, and Notch signaling pathways were involved in hydrogel-induced osteogenic differentiation, which was further validated by an inhibition assay. Overall, the injectable SF hydrogel containing MHAp and OGP demonstrates strong potential for clinical application in the treatment of alveolar bone defects.