Composite scaffolds of nano-hydroxyapatite and silk fibroin enhance mesenchymal stem cell-based bone regeneration via the interleukin 1 alpha autocrine/paracrine signaling loop

Composite scaffolds of nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) and silk fibroin (SF) have been reported to promote bone regeneration mainly through signaling pathways associated with cell–biomaterial interaction. However, it is unclear whether soluble factors also play a role in osteoinduction with nHAp-SF. In this study, we confirmed the biocompatibility and superior osteoinductivity of nHAp-SF scaffolds versus SF scaffolds both in vitro and on a calvarial defect model in vivo. This was followed by further analysis with microarray assay. The cDNA microarray results identified 247 differentially expressed genes in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) cultured on SF-nHAp scaffolds versus SF scaffolds. The greatest disparity in gene expression levels were observed with Il1α and Ilr2. Real-time PCR assay validated the results. The addition of IL-1α into cultures of BMSCs with SF significantly increased both Bmp2 and Ilr2 expression. However, with BMSCs alone, the Il1r2 expression increased substantially, whereas Bmp2 expression exhibited a decrease rather than increase. These data suggested that nHAp may exert osteoinductive effects on BMSCs via the secretion of IL-1α in an autocrine/paracrine fashion, and IL-1α activity could be regulated through the synthesis of IL1R2 by BMSCs upon interaction with nHAp. These results complemented our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of biomaterial osteoinductivity.