Bioactive effects of silica nanoparticles on bone cells are size, surface, and composition dependent

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Shin-Woo Ha, Emory University; Manjula Viggeswarapu, Atlanta Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Mark M Habib, Atlanta Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center; George R Beck, Jr, Atlanta Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
• Language: English
• Date: 2018-12-01
• Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2024 Elsevier B.V
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2018.10.018
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
• Volume: 82
• Start Page: 184
• End Page: 196
• Grant/Funding Information: S.W Ha is currently supported by a grant (D171751) from Gyeonggi Technology Development Program funded by Gyeonggi Province, Korea.
• Keywords: PROTEIN CORONA; OSTEOBLAST DIFFERENTIATION; OSTEOCLAST FORMATION; Surface charge; Materials Science, Biomaterials; Materials Science; Bone cells; OSTEOGENIC DIFFERENTIATION; Silica nanoparticles; Engineering, Biomedical; EXPRESSION; Engineering; GOLD NANOPARTICLES; Science & Technology; Composition; GROWTH; Size; NF-KAPPA-B; Technology; STEM-CELLS; IN-VITRO
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Biology, Veterinary Science; Health Sciences, Oncology; Engineering, Biomedical

Abstract

Silica based nanoparticles have been demonstrated to have intrinsic biologic activity towards the skeleton and to function by promoting the differentiation of bone forming osteoblasts while inhibiting the differentiation of bone resorbing osteoclasts. The excitement surrounding nanomedicine in part revolves around the almost unlimited possibilities for varying the physicochemical properties including size, composition, and surface charge. To date few studies have attempted to manipulate these characteristics in concert to optimize a complex biologic outcome. Towards this end, spherical silica nanoparticles of various sizes (50–450 nm), of different surface properties (OH, CO2H, NR4+, mNH2), and of different composition (silica, gold, and polystyrene) were synthesized and evaluated for biological activity toward skeletal cells. Osteoblast activity was most influenced by composition and size variables, whereas osteoclasts were most affected by surface property variation. The study also establishes nanoparticle mediated suppression of Nfatc1, a key transcriptional regulator for osteoclast differentiation, identifying a novel mechanism of action. Collectively, the study highlights how during the design of bioactive nanoparticles, it is vital to consider not only the myriad of physical properties that can be manipulated, but also that the characteristics of the target cell plays an equally integral role in determining biological outcome. Statement of significance: Silica nanomaterials represent a promising biomaterial for beneficial effects on bone mass and quality as well as regenerative tissue engineering and are currently being investigated for intrinsic bioactivity towards the primary cells responsible for skeletal homeostasis; osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The goal of the current study was to assess the physical properties of silica nanoparticles that impart intrinsic bioactivity by evaluating size, surface charge, and composition. Results reveal differential influences of the physical properties of nanoparticles towards osteoblasts and osteoclasts. This study provides new insights into the design of nanoparticles to specifically target different aspects of bone metabolism and highlights the opportunities provided by nanotechnology to modulate a range of cell specific biological responses for therapeutic benefit.