A Biomimetic Material with a High Bio-responsibility for Bone Reconstruction and Tissue Engineering.

A biomimetic composite was prepared using type-I collagen as the matrix, and particles of sol-gel-derived bioactive glass (58S), hyaluronic acid and phosphatidylserine as additives. The material has an interconnected 3-D porous structure with a porosity > 85%. When incubated in simulated body fluid (SBF), the composite induced the formation of microcrystals of bone-like hydroxyapatite (HA), suggesting good bioactive properties. During the in vitro cell-culture experiment, MC3T3-E1 cells adhered to, migrated and spread on the surface of the porous composite. The material was employed to repair a 10-mm defect in a rabbit's radius. The composite was gradually degraded within 8 weeks and replaced by new bone. After 12 weeks, the bone marrow cavity was restored and the Haversian canal was noted from the histological observation. The biomimetic composite is a potential scaffold material for bone reconstruction and bone tissue engineering.