PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATION

2025

Sequential Angiogenic–Osteogenic Coupling via a Spatiotemporally Graded Hydrogel Enables Vascularized Bone Organoids for Critical-Sized Calvarial Defect Reconstruction

Lu X, Wang F, et al.

Composites Part B: Engineering

Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

RESEARCH SUMMARY
This study presents a silk fibroin methacryloyl (SiIMA)–based spatiotemporally graded hydrogel integrating dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP) microspheres to enable sequential angiogenic–osteogenic coupling for vascularized bone organoid (BO) formation. The biphasic system coordinates early vascular network formation via DMOG release and later osteogenic differentiation through silk fibroin degradation, enabling bone–vascular synchronization in vitro and in vivo. The hydrogel constructs promoted vascularized bone matrix deposition within 21 days, leading to complete calvarial defect bridging in mice. This modular approach demonstrates controllable spatial and temporal signaling for bone organoid assembly and repair.

CELLSCALE INSTRUMENT USED

MicroSquisher

Mechanical compression testing of the SiIMA and nHAP-loaded microspheres was performed using a CellScale MicroSquisher. A stainless-steel beam applied displacement-driven loading to record real-time force–displacement curves at controlled deformation percentages. Data analysis revealed that hydroxyapatite-loaded microspheres exhibited significantly higher stiffness (4231 ± 1891 N m⁻¹) compared to unmodified SiIMA microspheres (181.9 ± 69.9 N m⁻¹). The MicroSquisher quantified elastic recovery, deformation, and stress relaxation behaviors critical for predicting osteogenic and angiogenic cue release kinetics in the hydrogel system.
AUTHORS

Xu Lu, Fuxiao Wang, Xukun Li, Dan Huang, Hao Zhang, Xiao Chen, Yixiao Lai, Yingying Jin, Jianhua Wang, Jiacan Su, Hua Yue.

PUBLICATION DETAILS
JOURNAL

Composites Part B: Engineering

YEAR

2025

INSTITUTIONS

Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

COUNTRIES

China

INSTRUMENT USED

MicroSquisher

TESTING METHODS

Compression TestingHydrated and Temperature Controlled TestingMicro-Mechanical Testing

RESEARCH APPLICATIONS

Bone Tissue Engineering & MechanicsCell Laden HydrogelsHydrogel Mechanical TestingInjectable & Regenerative BiomaterialsOrganoid and Tissue Mimetic SystemsVascular Tissue Engineering & Mechanics

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