Functionalization of extracellular matrix (ECM) on multichannel biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) granules for improved bone regeneration

Extracellular matrix (ECM) was functionalized onto the surface of multi-channel biphasic calcium phosphate granules (MCG) to enhance its osteogenic potential and bone regeneration capacity. ECM functionalized MCG scaffolds contains collagen, sulfated glycosaminoglycan and trace amounts of growth factors such as bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP-2) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor (TGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF). ECM functionalized MCG supported proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells after 7 days. Improved protein adsorption in ECM functionalized MCG scaffolds was observed after 15 min of incubation. Osteogenic properties were improved in ECM functionalized MCG scaffolds based on ALP and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells after 7 and 14 days. Increased bone regeneration was observed in ECM functionalized MCG scaffolds implanted in rabbit femoral head defect after 4 and 8 weeks. Results showed that ECM functionalized MCG scaffolds enhanced bone regeneration and could be a promising biomaterial in bone regeneration application.