Early healing of alveolar bone promoted by microRNA-21-loaded nanoparticles combined with Bio-Oss particles

Features of rapid loss and inadequate bone mass of alveolar bone after teeth extraction are still great obstacles for a successful subsequential dental implantation. MicroRNA-based therapy, though an advantageous strategy in tissue regeneration, is still not available for alveolar bone due to the unique complicated oral environment which is full of enzymes and electrolytes. In this paper, a microRNA-activated scaffold constituted of microRNA-21 nanoparticles combined with porous Bio-Oss particles was designed for the use of accelerating the early stage healing of the alveolar bone. It was noteworthy that the regeneration of alveolar bone was rapidly promoted to be shortened from the ordinary 3 months to 2 weeks. The nanoparticles designed by us according to the oral environment could protect microRNA from various enzymes and electrolytes attack, leading to a steady, continuous, and efficient delivery of gene. With the aid of porous Bio-Oss, microRNA-21 released in situ and its effects on highly reducing the recovery time and improving the quality of newly formed bone at the alveolar site were confirmed for the first time. Great potential could be seen for the microRNA-mediated biofunctionalized scaffold on the future dental application.