Multifunctional Injectable GelMA Hydrogels with MSN-Mediated Spatiotemporal Icariin Release for Enhanced Osseointegration in Bone Defects

Abstract

The repair of bone defects is faced with the dual challenges of limited autograft donors and single function of artificial materials. The development of new materials with mechanical adaptability, drug-controlled release and osteogenic induction has become a research hotspot in bone tissue engineering. Here, we developed an injectable photocrosslinkable hydrogel by integrating icariin (ICA)-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) into gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). The amino-functionalized MSN enhanced compressive modulus by 1.5-fold (p < 0.05) and enabled pH-responsive ICA release (91.2{+/-}4.2% cumulative release over 15 days). Our in vitro findings revealed the composite hydrogel promoted BMSC proliferation was 1.43{+/-}0.04 times that of GelMA group. And express excellent osteogenic differentiation ability (ALP activity: 3.25-fold; Mineralization: 5.01-fold). In vivo study, Micro-CT revealed significantly higher bone volume fraction (BV/TV) in rat calvarial defects at 12 weeks, with histology confirming mature trabecular bone formation. This MSN-mediated spatiotemporal delivery system synchronizes immunomodulation and osteogenesis, offering a promising strategy for non-load-bearing osseointegration.