Haversian bone-mimicking bioceramic scaffolds enhancing MSC-macrophage osteo-imunomodulation

The interaction between immune cells and bone forming cells plays a vital role in maintaining the homeostasis of the skeletal system, and is regulated by the three-dimensional structure of tissues. Whether the construction of biomaterials can activate or reproduce this spatial “cross-talk” between immune cells and bone forming cells in bone natural formation process is a prerequisite for successful fracture healing and bone regeneration. Herein, a bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)/macrophages-laden Haversian bone-mimicking bioceramic scaffold was successfully prepared through the biomimetic design of biomaterials and 3D printing technology. MSCs and macrophages were respectively distributed in the cancellous bone and Haversian canals of the scaffold to simulate the three-dimensional structure regulation of the cell spatial distribution and multiple intercellular interaction in natural bone tissue, and worked in concert to modulate the scaffold material-mediated osteo-immune microenvironment. The in vitro study revealed that the pro-inflammatory response of macrophages was more significantly inhibited when distributed with MSCs in the scaffolds at a cell ratio of 0.5:1 for co-culture, in comparison with multicellular culture at other ratios and unicellular culture. Meanwhile, MSCs exhibited the relatively high osteogenic potential, most likely via the activation of certain key signaling pathways mediated by macrophages-derived paracrine signaling mediators (OSM, BMP-2, and WNT10b). This work not only establishes a bionic platform for the regulation of multicellular osteo-immune response and regeneration but also offers a promising tissue-engineered biomimetic scaffold with improved immunomodulatory function for promoting bone tissue regeneration.