Biological applications on a novel composite hydrogel containing mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with insulin-like growth Factor-1 and Vancomycin
Abstract
Polymer nanocomposites have prolific applications in the environmental and health domain. Healthcare workers have constantly faced a challenge in constructing an effective sustained-release system for drugs, especially in areas where it is difficult to follow traditional treatment guidelines. To achieve a dual sustained release of vancomycin and cell growth factors, we designed a composite hydrogel, which was polymerized under ultraviolet irradiation to form a methacrylate gelatin (GelMA)/polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) cross-linked system. The hydrogel showed antibacterial and pro-osteogenic differentiation activities by blending it with vancomycin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)-loaded silica particles. The experimental results showed that with increased PEGDA concentration, the hydrogels were degraded by swelling with a longer sustained release time. After 144-h immersion, the hydrogel still showed sustained release of IGF-1. The antibacterial experiment showed that the hydrogel pair had an obvious antibacterial effect against S. aureus. The results of live/dead staining and Cell Counting kit-8 assay indicated excellent biocompatibility of the hydrogel. Alizarin Red staining (ARS) further demonstrated that this hydrogel could induce bone marrow stem cells to initiate osteogenic differentiation. This hydrogel material exhibited excellent antibacterial and pro-osteogenic differentiation properties and might be promising for chronic osteomyelitis treatment.
Introduction
Chronic osteomyelitis is a bacterial infection that affects bone tissue, characterized by a long disease course, frequent recurrences, and complex treatment. It presents significant challenges for both patients and clinicians [1]. Current treatments primarily include antibiotics, surgical debridement, and bone defect repair [2, 3]. Common antibiotic carriers such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and calcium sulfate are used for sustained antibiotic release. PMMA releases antibiotics rapidly in the initial phase but cannot be degraded in the body, requiring secondary surgical removal [4]. In contrast, calcium sulfate, which can degrade without the need for secondary surgery, promotes bone healing while effectively eradicating pathogens, though it offers less structural support compared to PMMA [5, 6]. Surgical debridement remains the cornerstone of chronic osteomyelitis treatment. It not only treats bone injury but also activates tissue regeneration and promotes cell proliferation [7]. A combination of debridement and antibiotic release is commonly employed to manage recurrent infections. However, there is a need for effective carriers that simultaneously promote osteoblast growth and provide sustained antibiotic release. Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA), a derivative of gelatin, has been explored for bone tissue engineering due to its excellent biocompatibility and ability to support cell growth and differentiation [8]. However, pure GelMA hydrogels have limited mechanical strength and stability. To address these limitations, composite materials such as GelMA combined with mesoporous silica nanoparticles have been developed to enhance sustained drug release and support osteogenic differentiation [9, 10].
In this study, we developed an injectable hydrogel material incorporating GelMA, polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), and mesoporous silica-loaded insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). This material was designed to promote osteogenic differentiation and provide antibacterial effects. The hydrogel was characterized for its mechanical properties, swelling behavior, and biocompatibility, demonstrating promising potential for chronic osteomyelitis treatment.
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Ren, H., Guo, Q., Lin, B. et al. Biological applications on a novel composite hydrogel containing mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with insulin-like growth Factor-1 and Vancomycin. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 36, 35 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-025-06884-5
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