Cuttlebone-Derived Organic Matrix: A Facile Periosteum Substitute for Bone Regeneration

Artificial periosteum has become a novel strategy for bone healing. Several efforts are made to develop novel periosteum substitutes with excellent osteogenesis and angiogenesis performance. The problem, however, is that many inconveniences, such as unattainable materials and complex preparation processes, limit its clinical application. In this study, cuttlebone-derived organic matrix (CDOM) film is developed as a facile obtained artificial periosteum with good bioactivity, biodegradability, and biosafety. In this study, CDOM films are prepared by etching calcium carbonate of cuttlebone with hydrochloric acid (HCl), phosphoric acid (H3PO4), and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), respectively. CDOM films possess "S" oriented grooves on one surface, providing suitable space for survival, adhesion, and proliferation of rat mesenchymal stem cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Among three CDOM films, CDOM-EDTA is the most efficient at enhancing bone regeneration in vivo, with an increase in neovascularization and new bone formation. Meanwhile, CDOM-EDTA is degradable in two months and of extremely low toxicity. There is a great deal of promise in the future for this novel periosteum substitute to be used for bone defect healing in clinical settings.