Emerging biomimetic nanotechnology in orthopedic diseases: progress, challenges, and opportunities

Emerging bio-nanotechnology has greatly favored the innovation of orthopedic therapies through more comprehensive mimicry of native bone tissue. More detailed depictions on bone biophysiology, pathogenesis, and progression of diverse bone diseases promote optimization of disease-specific therapy by biomimetic nanotechnology. Biomimetic integration of structure, composition, biomineralization, cells, biochemical, and biomechanical factors is vital for developing artificial constructs for healing bone and cartilage defects. Surface functionalization with biomimetic features can endow nanocarriers with improved biocompatibility, targeting capability, and better therapeutic efficiency for delivering therapeutic agents in curing bone tumor, inflammatory, infection, and osteoporosis. Orthopedic diseases (e.g., fracture, bone tumor, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, chronic inflammation, and infection) can result in locomotion disability, loss of protection for other soft tissues/organs, or dysfunction of hematopoiesis, mineral homeostasis, and other functions. The development of biomimetic nanotechnology has advanced the innovation of orthopedic therapies for restoring the structure, composition, and biophysiological functions of the natural bone tissue. Identification of the pathogenesis and understanding the disease progression can greatly benefit the design and optimization of disease-specific therapy. Herein, we summarize guidelines on how biomimetic nanotechnology can be utilized in more efficiently treating various orthopedic diseases. We also discuss unmet needs and current challenges that might hinder the clinical implementation of biomimetic nanotechnology-based orthopedic therapies. Orthopedic diseases (e.g., fracture, bone tumor, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, chronic inflammation, and infection) can result in locomotion disability, loss of protection for other soft tissues/organs, or dysfunction of hematopoiesis, mineral homeostasis, and other functions. The development of biomimetic nanotechnology has advanced the innovation of orthopedic therapies for restoring the structure, composition, and biophysiological functions of the natural bone tissue. Identification of the pathogenesis and understanding the disease progression can greatly benefit the design and optimization of disease-specific therapy. Herein, we summarize guidelines on how biomimetic nanotechnology can be utilized in more efficiently treating various orthopedic diseases. We also discuss unmet needs and current challenges that might hinder the clinical implementation of biomimetic nanotechnology-based orthopedic therapies. the ability developed by microbes to protect them from antimicrobial treatments (e.g., antibiotics). harvesting a substituted bone graft from a donor area of the patient. a complex structure composed of one or more microbial cells and an extracellular polymeric matrix, generally adhering to a surface. participates in inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway. a membrane-bound extracellular vesicle loaded with proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids of cells. a complex 3D network that is mainly composed of macromolecules (e.g., collagen, glycoproteins) and minerals (e.g., hydroxyapatite) for biochemically and structurally supporting cells. stromal cells capable of multipotent differentiation into various cell types; they can be harvested from bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, etc. a peptide hormone that can regulate the calcium concentration in serum and thus will activate osteoclast to resorb bone matrix and release more calcium ions when serum calcium is low. a member of tumor necrosis factor that regulates apoptosis and participates in modulating immune response and bone regeneration. a solution with formulated ionic concentrations that mimic those of human blood plasma. removal of normal loads will hinder bone remodeling, leading to decreased bone density and strength. a significant increase of structure stiffness in response to a stress beyond critical value.