Preliminary Developmental Bone-like Bioassemblies for Rapid Bone Regeneration and as an Infectious Osteolysis Research Model

Abstract

Bone defects and bone infections remain significant challenges in orthopedics. Effective treatment strategies for bone defects and infectious osteolysis are currently lacking. Although tissue engineering techniques have shown great potential for bone regeneration, their divergence from the physiological microenvironment limits their ability to support endogenous osteogenesis. Herein, we explored the preliminary developmental bone-like bioassemblies aimed at enhancing rapid bone regeneration and serving as a research model for infectious osteolysis. Using a 3D microarray, osteoblast precursor cells were assembled, aggregated, proliferated, and differentiated with ascorbic acid-2-phosphate, β-glycerophosphate, and dexamethasone, partially recapitulating the structural and functional characteristics of native bone tissue. In vitro assessments showed significant osteogenic differentiation and excellent mineralization properties. In vivo experiments demonstrated the effectiveness of these bioassemblies in promoting bone healing in critical-sized defects, with improved integration into host tissue. Notably, exposure to Staphylococcus aureus PAMPs induced infectious osteolysis in the bone-like bioassemblies, demonstrating their response to pathogenic stimuli and showcasing their potential as a platform for studying bone infection dynamics and host–pathogen interactions. These preliminary developmental bone-like bioassemblies therefore represent a promising strategy for advancing therapeutic approaches in bone regeneration and examining the complexities of infectious processes affecting bone integrity.