Doxycycline-doped membranes induced osteogenic gene expression on osteoblastic cells

Objectives: To analyze how novel developed silicon dioxide composite membranes, functionalized with zinc or doxycycline, can modulate the expression of genes related to the osteogenic functional capacity of osteoblastic cells. Methods: The composite nanofibers membranes were manufactured by using a novel polymeric blend and 20 nm silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs). To manufacture the membranes, 20 nm SiO2-NPs were added to the polymer solution and the resulting suspension was processed by electrospinning. In a second step, the membranes were functionalized with zinc or doxycycline. Then, they were subjected to MG63 osteoblast-like cells culturing for 48 h. After this time, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was carried out to study the expression of Runx-2, OSX, ALP, OSC, OPG, RANKL, Col-I, BMP-2, BMP-7, TGF-beta 1, VEGF, TGF-beta R1, TGF-beta R2, and TGF-beta R3. Mean comparisons were conducted by One-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (p < 0.05). Results: In general, the blending of SiO2-NPs in the tested non-resorbable polymeric scaffold improves the expression of osteogenic genes over the control membranes. Doxycycline doping of experimental scaffolds attained the best results, encountering up-regulation of BMP-2, ALP, OPG, TGF beta-1 and TGF beta-R1. Membranes with zinc induced a significant increase in the expression of Col-I, ALP and TGF beta 1. Both, zinc and doxycycline functionalized membranes enormously down-regulated the expression of RANKL. Conclusions: Zinc and doxycycline doped membranes are bioactive inducing overexpression of several osteogenic gene markers. Clinical significance: Doxycycline doped membranes may be a potential candidate for use in GBR procedures in several challenging pathologies, including periodontal diseases.

Automated summary

The study investigated the impact of novel silicon dioxide composite membranes functionalized with zinc or doxycycline on osteoblastic cell gene expression. Results showed that the use of SiO2-NPs in polymeric scaffolds improved osteogenic gene expression, with the best results achieved by doxycycline doping. Zinc and doxycycline functionalized membranes significantly influenced the expression of several osteogenic gene markers, highlighting their potential for use in GBR procedures.