Osteoinductive and anti-inflammatory properties of chitosan-based scaffolds for bone regeneration

Current bone implants based on new biomaterials may cause a foreign body reaction (FBR) around the implant itself thus prolonging the healing time following bone fractures. In this paper, biomimetic chitosan-based scaffolds promoting bone tissue regeneration and controlling inflammatory response are proposed. First, the anti-inflammatory potential of scaffolds on hMSCs stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was investigated by dosing the levels of some interleukins and oxidative stress metabolites (IL-1β, IL-10 and nitrites) involved in immune response. Then, to mimic the inflammation process at osteoporotic site, the effect of scaffolds was evaluated on in vitro co-culture model based on osteoblasts and macrophages stimulated by LPS. Results demonstrated that bioactivated scaffolds are able to i) inhibit synthesis of inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β; ii) reduce oxidative stress metabolites; and iii) promote anti-inflammatory markers generation (IL-10) in hMSCs. Finally, bioactivated scaffolds show an anti-inflammatory activity also on in vitro co-cultures, which better mimic in vivo damaged bone microenvironment. [Display omitted] •Functionalization of chitosan-based scaffolds was obtained through organic and inorganic cues.•The effect of scaffolds to modulate inflammatory response was evaluated on in vitro model mimicking inflamed microenvironment.•Bioactivated scaffolds are able to prevent inflammation reaction and reduce oxidative stress on in vitro model of osteoporosis.