Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (10): 2151-2161.doi: 10.12307/2025.261

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Multiple applications of metal-organic framework materials in bone tissue engineering and orthopedic disease treatment 

Liu Yunxiang1, Zhang Xiaoyu2, Li Hao1, Zhang Rong3, Li Liping3, Chen Chongwei1   

  1. 1Department of Orthopedics, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China; 2College of Medical Imaging, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China; 3Shanxi Bethune Hospital (Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences), Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030032, Shanxi Province, China 
  • Received:2024-01-18 Accepted:2024-03-05 Online:2025-04-08 Published:2024-08-23
  • Contact: Corresponding author: Chen Chongwei, Chief physician, Professor, Master’s supervisor, Department of Orthopedics, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China Co-corresponding author: Li Liping, Professor, Doctoral supervisor, Shanxi Bethune Hospital (Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences), Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030032, Shanxi Province, China Co-corresponding author: Zhang Rong, Associate researcher, Shanxi Bethune Hospital (Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences), Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030032, Shanxi Province, China
  • About author:Liu Yunxiang, Master candidate, Department of Orthopedics, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Shanxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation, No. 202103021223414 (to ZR)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Metal-organic frameworks exhibited great potential for bone tissue engineering and bone disease treatment because of its unique merits including tunable porosity, a large specific surface area, good biocompatibility, and easy structure modification.
OBJECTIVE: To review the advancements, application, strengths, and weaknesses of metal-organic framework materials in bone repair, arthritis, bone infection, and bone tumors, offering guidance and strategies for future research.
METHODS: Web of Science, PubMed, and CNKI databases were searched using Chinese and English keywords “metal-organic frameworks, MOFs, orthopedics, bone repair, bone regeneration, orthopaedic applications, bone tissue engineering, bone infection, arthritis, bone tumor, osteosarcoma” for related literature published from 2015 to 2023. Following initial screening based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 72 articles were finally included for review.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) During bone repair, metal ions of metal-organic frameworks can induce bone formation by activating specific signaling pathways, which include stimulating osteogenic gene expression, inhibiting osteoclasts, encouraging blood vessel formation, and speeding up bone mineralization. Hence, metal-organic frameworks with metals like calcium, strontium, cobalt, copper, and magnesium ions show significant potential in enhancing bone implant performance. (2)Metal-organic framework materials, especially zinc/cobalt-based metal-organic frameworks, exhibit enzyme-like activities and promote cartilage regeneration by scavenging reactive oxygen species. Compared with natural enzymes, it has the advantages of not easy inactivation and better stability. (3) Zinc-based metal-organic framework materials characterized with wide band gaps, efficient separation and migration of photogenerated carriers, and high stability, the enhancement of photocatalytic activity results from enhancing the excited electron-hole widely used for the eradication of bacteria and tumor cells. (4) Bimetallic metal-organic frameworks, the doping of additional metals, showed critical advantages in optimizing structural performance, such as zinc/magnesium-based metal-organic framework 74 offering increased stability for durable antibacterial activity, and the light absorption capacity and photocatalytic efficiency of tantalum/zirconium-based metal-organic framework greatly improved and thus enhancing the radiation therapy. (5) However, metal-organic framework materials still face challenges in clinical applications, such as the uncertainty of drug release, in vivo safety, and potential immune responses from long-term presence. 

Key words: metal-organic framework material, bone tissue engineering, bone repair, bone infection, arthritis, bone tumor, MOFs

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