GISM Annual Meeting 2025

Bone diseases represent a growing healthcare challenge due to population aging and lifestyle changes. Although bone has a natural regenerative capacity, approximately 10% of fractures fail to heal properly, requiring advanced therapeutic approaches. Bone tissue engineering (BTE) has advanced the use of osteoinductive and osteoconductive biomaterials to support bone regeneration. Among them, Bio-Oss® Collagen, a composite of bovine hydroxyapatite and collagen, has shown excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity properties. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immunomodulatory properties that support bone repair by interacting with immune cells to influence both innate and adaptive immune responses. Numerous regulatory molecules, such as cytokines, chemokines, receptors, and transcription factors, link the immune and skeletal systems. This study analyzes the effect of Bio-Oss® Collagen on human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs), assessing its osteoinductive and immunomodulatory potential. After 7 days of culture, the biomaterial modulated the expression of key genes involved in osteogenesis and chondrogenesis, which are known for their role in bone formation and maturation. At the same time, a downregulation of genes associated with bone resorption was observed. Among the upregulated genes, several play key roles in osteogenesis and chondrogenesis, including COL1A1, COMP, ITGA1, BMP1, TWIST1, IGF1R and IGF-1. Higher expression of osteocalcin and osteopontin, were present in hBMSCs grown grown on the scaffold. Secretome analysis revealed a controlled release of proregenerative cytokines, suggesting a role of the biomaterial in modulating inflammation to promote bone regeneration. These findings indicate that Bio-Oss® Collagen supports osteogenesis and modulates the immune response, creating a microenvironment favorable for bone regeneration.