Boron-Enhanced Osteogenic Applications in Bone Tissue Engineering
Summary
Boron has gained prominence as a bioactive element in bone tissue engineering due to its dual role in modulating cellular functions and enhancing material properties. Incorporated into both inorganic ceramics and polymeric scaffolds, boron influences osteoblast proliferation, differentiation and extracellular matrix mineralisation. In ceramic systems, such as boron-doped hydroxyapatite or calcium phosphate, the substitution of phosphate or hydroxyl groups by borate species refines crystallinity, surface charge and solubility, thereby promoting cell adhesion and controlled ion release. In polymeric matrices, boron compounds act as cross-linkers and bioactive agents, enabling tunable degradation rates and sustained delivery of osteogenic cues. Beyond direct osteogenic stimulation, boron-enriched constructs can foster angiogenesis and moderate inflammatory responses, yielding a multifunctional platform for accelerated bone repair. Advances in fabrication techniques—including precipitation routes, cryogelation and microwave-assisted synthesis—have yielded scaffolds with optimised porosity, mechanical strength and boron release profiles. These developments hold promise for addressing global challenges in skeletal regeneration, implant integration and infection control, paving the way for next-generation therapies that harness the unique osteostimulatory and immunomodulatory properties of boron.
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Boron-Enhanced Osteogenic Applications in Bone Tissue Engineering publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in boron-enhanced osteogenic applications in bone tissue engineering across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Osteogenesis: The process by which new bone is formed by specialised cells known as osteoblasts.
Hydroxyapatite (HA): A calcium phosphate ceramic resembling the mineral component of bone, often used as a scaffold material in bone repair.
Cryogel: A porous, sponge-like polymer network formed at subzero temperatures, offering high mechanical resilience and interconnected pores for cell infiltration.
Angiogenesis: The formation of new blood vessels, critical for supplying nutrients and oxygen to regenerating tissues.
Osteoimmunomodulation: The regulation of immune responses to favour bone regeneration, often involving a balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory signals.
References
- Influence of precursor deficiency sites for borate incorporation on the structural and biological properties of boronated hydroxyapatite. Ceramics International (2023).
- Development of Boron-Containing PVA-Based Cryogels with Controllable Boron Releasing Rate and Altered Influence on Osteoblasts. Polymers (2023).
- Versatile-in-All-Trades: Multifunctional Boron-Doped Calcium-Deficient Hydroxyapatite Directs Immunomodulation and Regeneration. ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering (2022).
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