Photoactivated MXene Nanosheets for Integrated Bone-Soft Tissue Therapy: Effect and Potential Mechanism

The bone defects caused by trauma are inevitably accompanied by soft tissue damage. The development of multifunctional bioactive biomaterials with integrated bone and soft tissue regeneration is necessary and needed urgently in orthopedics. In this work, we found that the photoactivated MXene (Ti3C2Tx) nanosheet showed positive effects on promoting both bone and soft tissue regeneration. We further investigated the detailed effect and potential mechanism of photoactivated MXene on tissue regeneration. Photoactivated MXene shows a good thermal effect and robust antibacterial activity to inhibit the expression of inflammation factors and and induces the expression of pro-angiogenic factors and soft tissue wound repair. Photoactivated MXene can also regulate the osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) through the ERK signaling pathway by activating the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and enhancing the repair of bone tissue. This work sheds light on the development of bioactive MXene with photothermal activation as an efficient strategy for bone and soft tissue regeneration simultaneously.

Automated summary

Bone defects caused by trauma often involve soft tissue damage, necessitating the development of multifunctional biomaterials for bone and soft tissue regeneration. This study demonstrates that photoactivated MXene nanosheet promotes both bone and soft tissue regeneration. The photoactivated MXene exhibits thermal effects and antibacterial activity, inhibits inflammation factors, induces pro-angiogenic factors, and enhances soft tissue wound repair. Additionally, it regulates osteogenic differentiation through the ERK signaling pathway, enhancing bone tissue repair. This work highlights the potential of bioactive MXene with photothermal activation for simultaneous bone and soft tissue regeneration.