Active implant combining human stem cell microtissues and growth factors for bone-regenerative nanomedicine

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from adult bone marrow provide an exciting and promising stem cell population for the repair of bone in skeletal diseases. Here, we describe a new generation of collagen nanofiber implant functionalized with growth factor BMP-7 nanoreservoirs and equipped with human MSC microtissues (MTs) for regenerative nanomedicine. By using a 3D nanofibrous collagen membrane and by adding MTs rather than single cells, we optimize the microenvironment for cell colonization, differentiation and growth. Furthermore, in this study, we have shown that by combining BMP-7 with these MSC MTs in this double 3D environment, we further accelerate bone growth . The strategy described here should enhance the efficiency of therapeutic implants compared with current simplistic approaches used in the clinic today based on collagen implants soaked in bone morphogenic proteins.