A domestic research team developed a technology that combines nanoparticles and stem cells to greatly improve three-dimensional bone tissue regeneration.
Senior researcher Kim Gi-young of the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) Medicinal Bio Research Division and Professor Ha Mi-jin of Sunmoon University said on the 26th that their joint team created "nano-bio hybrid cells" by combining human adipose-derived stem cells with porous silica nanoparticles, boosting bone-forming capacity.
Three-dimensional cell aggregates using stem cells have been used to model organs or tissues. However, a lack of nutrient and oxygen supply inside caused cells to die or fail to differentiate uniformly into bone. Because of these limitations, it was difficult to apply them to actual bone regeneration therapy or drug evaluation.
The researchers evenly attached nanoparticles to the surface of stem cells, guiding the cells to interlock and form a stable spherical structure. The nanoparticles act as both scaffolds and bone formation promoters among the stem cells. The nanoparticles not only serve as supports but also carry and slowly release signaling molecules that promote bone formation, guiding stem cells to differentiate uniformly in the desired direction. It is like cells carrying nutritional supplement capsules on their backs transforming themselves into bone.
In experiments, the nanoparticle–stem cell complexes showed higher cell viability and differentiated uniformly into osteocytes compared with conventional methods. In particular, when transplanted into a mouse calvarial defect model, 36% of the defect area was filled with new bone in six weeks. The regeneration rate was about 1.3 times higher than that of complexes composed of cells alone.
Although this study is at the animal testing stage, after large-animal models and clinical studies, it is expected to be applicable to developing patient-specific bone grafts.
Senior researcher Kim Gi-young said, "It can be extended to the regeneration of various tissues such as cartilage and skin, not just bone." Lee Young-guk, president of the chemistry research institute, said, "We hope to contribute to treating the increasing number of fracture patients in an aging society through stem cell-based tissue regeneration technology."
The research results were published in August in the international materials journal "ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering."
References
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering (2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsbiomaterials.5c01131