Multiscale metal-based nanocomposites for bone and joint disease therapies.

Journal: Materials today. Bio
Published Date: Apr 17, 2025

Abstract

Bone and joint diseases are debilitating conditions that can result in significant functional impairment or even permanent disability. Multiscale metal-based nanocomposites, which integrate hierarchical structures ranging from the nanoscale to the macroscale, have emerged as a promising solution to this challenge. These materials combine the unique properties of metal-based nanoparticles (MNPs), such as enzyme-like activities, stimuli responsiveness, and photothermal conversion, with advanced manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing and biohybrid systems. The integration of MNPs within polymer or ceramic matrices offers a degree of control over the mechanical strength, antimicrobial efficacy, and the manner of drug delivery, whilst concomitantly promoting the processes of osteogenesis and chondrogenesis. This review highlights breakthroughs in stimulus-responsive MNPs (e.g., photo-, magnetically-, or pH-activated systems) for on-demand therapy and their integration with biocomposite hybrids containing cells or extracellular vesicles to mimic the native tissue microenvironment. The applications of these composites are extensive, ranging from bone defects, infections, tumors, to degenerative joint diseases. The review emphasizes the enhanced load-bearing capacity, bioactivity, and tissue integration that can be achieved through hierarchical designs. Notwithstanding the potential of these applications, significant barriers to progress persist, including challenges related to long-term biocompatibility, regulatory hurdles, and scalable manufacturing. Finally, we propose future directions, including machine learning-guided design and patient-specific biomanufacturing to accelerate clinical translation. Multiscale metal-based nanocomposites, which bridge nanoscale innovations with macroscale functionality, are a revolutionary force in the field of biomedical engineering, providing personalized regenerative solutions for bone and joint diseases.

Authors

  • Yuwen Wang
    Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
  • Hasnain Jan
    Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.
  • Zheng Zhong
    Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Changsha City, Changsha, China.
  • Liangbin Zhou
    Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.
  • Kexin Teng
    Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.
  • Ye Chen
    1 Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
  • Jiankun Xu
    Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China.
  • Denghui Xie
    Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Center for Orthopedic Surgery, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degeneration Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
  • Dexin Chen
    Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
  • Jiake Xu
  • Ling Qin
    Musculoskeletal Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • Rocky S Tuan
    Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.
  • Zhong Alan Li
    Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.

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