Biosilicated collagen/β-tricalcium phosphate composites as a BMP-2-delivering bone-graft substitute for accelerated craniofacial bone regeneration

Bioceramic β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is used as a bone-grafting material and a therapeutic drug carrier for treatment of bone defects in the oral and maxillofacial regions due to the osteoconductivity and biocompatibility. However, the low mechanical strength and limited osteoinductivity of β-TCP agglomerate restrict bone regenerating performance in clinical settings. Herein, a biomimetic composite is proposed as a bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2)-delivering bone graft substitute to achieve a robust bone grafting and augmented bone regeneration. The sequential processes of brown algae-inspired biosilicification and collagen coating on the surface of β-TCP enable the effective incorporation of BMP-2 into the coating layer without losing its bioactivity. The sustained delivery of BMP-2 from the biosilicated collagen and β-TCP composites promoted in vitro osteogenic behaviors of pre-osteoblasts and remarkedly accelerated in vivo bone regeneration within a rat calvarial bone defect. Our multicomposite bone substitutes can be practically applied to improve bone tissue growth in bone grafting applications with further expansion to general bone tissue engineering.