Luan Minh Nguyenab,
Yufeng Wangc,
Giao Thuy Quynh Vu
a,
Qui Thanh Hoai Ta
a,
Dieu Linh Tran
a,
Ngoc Hoi Nguyen
a,
Thuan Van Tran
d,
Chao Zhang
*c and
Dai Hai Nguyen
*ab
aInstitute of Advanced Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 1B TL29 Street, An Phu Dong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam. E-mail: nguyendaihai0511@gmail.com; nguyendaihai@iat.vast
bGraduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
cState Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, PR China. E-mail: czhang@dhu.edu.cn
dInstitute of Applied Technology and Sustainable Development, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, 298-300A Nguyen Tat Thanh, Xom Chieu Ward, Ho Chi Minh City 755414, Vietnam
First published on 28th July 2025
There has recently been a noticeable increase in the prevalence of bone-related conditions, including osteoarthritis, arthritis, fractures, bone cancer, and infections, thereby creating an urgent demand for advanced biomaterials in regenerative medicine. Among emerging candidates, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), with their large surface area, tunable porosity, and inherent bioactivity, have demonstrated considerable potential in bone tissue engineering. Initially, research focused on pristine MOFs as bioactive scaffolds or drug delivery vehicles due to their capacity for controlled encapsulation and release of therapeutic agents. However, issues such as poor stability, potential toxicity, and limited mechanical strength have driven the development of MOF-based composites. By incorporating MOFs into hydrogels, electrospun fibers, biocements, and three-dimensional scaffolds, researchers have improved biocompatibility, enhanced structural integrity, and achieved synergistic effects on bone regeneration. Consequently, these composites offer multifunctional platforms that simultaneously provide mechanical support, local drug delivery, and osteoinductive cues. This review highlights recent advances in the field, analyzes key limitations, and emphasizes the need for systematic strategies in design, synthesis, and evaluation. Furthermore, the integration of computational modeling and machine learning is proposed as a promising direction for optimizing material performance and accelerating clinical translation. Ultimately, interdisciplinary collaboration will be essential to realize the full potential of next-generation MOF-based composites in bone repair and regenerative therapies.
Based on these aspects, biomaterials capable of promoting bone growth, recovery, and regeneration have been elaborated. Titanium alloys, for example, have been built into implants such as prosthetic joints, screws, and plates that are used to immobilize, link, and accelerate bone repair.15–17 Specifically, titanium-based implants with good load-bearing capacity, wear resistance, and biological inertness have been widely used in clinical bone implantation.18,19 In addition, organically derived biomedical materials (e.g., collagen, chitosan, and hyaluronic acid) have been developed into hydrogel systems, which are known to provide moisture and increase adhesion, bone cell proliferation, and differentiation.20–23 On the other hand, biocements, including calcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, and calcium sulfate hemihydrate, are used to fill gaps or scaffolds in bone surgery.24–28 With the advancements in biomedical technology, the integration of inorganic and organic materials has become an integral part of the fabrication of three-dimensional printed constructs. In this process, biological scaffolds are not only shaped with high precision conforming to computer-aided designs, but are also expected to exhibit improved biological properties, mechanical durability, and replaceability of natural bones.29–32 Nevertheless, to address the increasing complexity of bone-related pathogenic variants, biomaterials need to be more flexible, intelligent, and multifunctional. As a result, there is a need to explore advanced materials to integrate with those that have achieved remarkable results in bone tissue engineering, aiming to create versatile composite materials with desired therapeutic efficiencies.
Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) represent one of the promising advanced materials, constructed from two primary components, namely metal ions/clusters and organic ligands.33–36 Noteworthy characteristics of MOFs include their large specific surface area, diverse porous structures, and flexible, tunable frameworks based on both inorganic and organic constituents.37–39 In addition, some families of MOFs, such as zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), Universitetet i Oslos (UiOs), and MILs (Lavoisier Laboratory), also possess high thermal, chemical, and mechanical stability.40–43 Regarding applications, MOFs have garnered significant research attention in the fields of environment, energy, and biomedicine.44–46 Indeed, MOFs have been discovered with many potential applications in bone tissue engineering throughout recent years. This may arise from the structure of MOFs, which contain trace elements (e.g., zinc, magnesium, calcium, and strontium) that could promote the regeneration and differentiation of bone cells.47,48 In addition, organic ligands derived from amino acids, nucleobases, and vitamins can be absorbed by the body, thereby limiting the toxicity accumulated during prolonged treatment.49–51 Effective antibacterial properties were also discovered in some MOFs, such as Zn-MOFs, Cu-MOFs, Co-MOFs, and Fe-MOFs.52–54 Nano-sized MOFs have been demonstrated as potential candidates for efficient storage and transport of bioactive agents (e.g., drugs, enzymes, and DNA) within the physiological system of the body. Besides, MOFs can be easily modified to be responsive to stimuli such as pH, near-infrared (NIR) light, and enzymes for targeted pharmacological applications.55–57
In general, there is a significant increase in the number of studies on MOFs in bone tissue engineering. Therefore, the systematic collation of literature on this subject holds considerable significance. Specifically, we reviewed studies on the primitive applications of MOFs, followed by their integration with inorganic and organic biomaterials for treating bone injuries. Within this narrative, the pivotal roles played by therapeutic elements, including metal ions, organic ligands, and drugs, acting as active pharmaceutical ingredients, were elucidated. Additionally, the positive contributions of MOFs in bone regeneration, infection prevention, inflammation reduction, and malignant bone tumor treatment were highlighted. However, the application of MOFs in clinical settings still faces numerous challenges related to molecular building blocks, physiological properties, biological properties, and synthesis methods. As a result, personal perspectives were proposed to clarify ambiguities and the emerging applications of MOFs in bone tissue engineering. Furthermore, a thorough examination of medical, technical, and economic aspects was conducted to ensure that the integration of MOFs into bone tissue engineering not only benefits patient outcomes but also enhances the healthcare industry as a whole.
MOF | Bioactive | MOF-based biomaterial | Properties | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
a Ket: ketoprofen; MicroRNAs: proangiogenic miR-21 and pro-osteogenic miR-5106; RIS: risedronate; 7,8-DHF: 7,8-dihydroxyflavone; CEL: celecoxib. | ||||
Pristine MOF | ||||
SrPAEM bioMOF | — | SrPAEM bioMOF | Biocompatibility and bone mineralization | 63 |
CaPAEM bioMOF | — | CaPAEM bioMOF | Biocompatibility and bone mineralization | 63 |
SrCaPAEM bioMOF | — | SrCaPAEM bioMOF | Biocompatibility and bone mineralization | 63 |
Cu L-Asp bioMOF | — | Cu L-Asp bioMOF | Osteogenesis and angiogenesis | 58 |
MgCu-MOF74 | — | MgCu-MOF74 | Osteogenesis and antibacterial properties | 64 |
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MOFs loaded with bioactive agents | ||||
Mg-MOF-74 | Ket | Ket@Mg-MOF-74 | Osteogenesis and anti-inflammatory properties | 69 |
ZIF-8 | MicroRNAs | MicroRNAs@ZIF-8 | Osteogenesis and angiogenesis | 70 |
ZIF-8 | RIS | RIS@ZIF-8 | Osteogenesis | 76 |
ZIF-8 | 7,8-DHF | 7,8-DHF@ZIF-8 | Osteogenesis and angiogenesis | 75 |
ZIF-8 | CEL | CEL@ZIF-8 | Osteogenesis and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties | 77 |
In another study, Liu et al.64 conducted a comparative investigation on bone regeneration using Mg-MOF-74 and MgCu-MOF-74. In vitro assessment indicated that both types of MOF-74 could facilitate the growth of human osteogenic sarcoma cells (SaOS-2) for 5 days, in which MgCu-MOF-74 showed dominant activity. This is attributed to the synergistic effect of Mg2+ and Cu2+ ions in enhancing the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of bone cells. Apart from promoting cell growth, Cu2+ in MgCu-MOF-74 has proven to offer significant antimicrobial efficacy in clinical applications for minimizing implant infections and postoperative recovery. Vascularized bone regeneration, on the other hand, is another crucial process in bone repair that has been extensively explored in recent studies. Zhang and co-workers65 introduced a novel L-Asp-Cu(II) bioMOF, which was constructed through the coordination bonding between L-aspartic acid (L-Asp) and Cu2+ ions. The remarkable results from in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that bioMOF, with its sustained release of bioactive Cu2+ ions, effectively activated the TGF-β/BMP signaling pathway, thereby promoting neovascularization and accelerating bone regeneration at the defect site (Fig. 1).
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Fig. 1 Schematic illustration of the fabrication and mechanism of L-Asp-Cu(II) bioMOF for vascularized bone regeneration. CuL-Asp is synthesized through the coordination of Cu2+ ions and L-aspartic acid, enabling the sustained release of bioactive Cu2+. These ions activate the TGF-β/BMP signaling pathway, promoting neovascularization and accelerating bone tissue regeneration. This figure has been reproduced from ref. 58 with permission from Elsevier, copyright 2025. |
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Fig. 2 Schematic representation of miR@ZIF-8 nanocomposites for the delivery of proangiogenic microR-21 and pro-osteogenic microR-5106. These nanocomposites enable efficient cellular internalization and microRNA release, which upregulate angiogenic (VEGF and HIF-1A) and osteogenic (ALP, OCN, and RUNX2) genes, thereby promoting vascularization and bone regeneration. This figure has been reproduced from ref. 70 with permission from Elsevier, copyright 2022. |
In addition, the process of bone formation can be activated through the interaction between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and receptor tyrosine kinase B (TrkB). This process generates signal pathways in cells for the regulation of differentiation and bone formation.71–73 However, BDNF has an inherent weakness in terms of short half-life and poor distribution efficiency.73,74 To overcome this barrier, Sun and co-workers75 reported that the plant-derived flavonoid 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) could be a potential solution to replace BDNF with similar biological effects. Furthermore, 7,8-DHF is contained in the ZIF-8 structure (7,8-DHF@ZIF-8) to strengthen sustainability in physiological environments. The in vitro results indicated that 7,8-DHF@ZIF-8 at concentrations lower than 50 mg L−1 facilitated angiogenesis and bone formation.
MOF | Biomaterial | Bioactive | MOF-based biomaterial | Stimuli | Properties | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
a PVP: polyvinyl pyrrolidone; ICG: indocyanine green; Cyt c: cytochrome c; Col: collagen; SIM: simvastatin; Aln: alendronate; Gel: gelatin; ZOL: zoledronate; DOX: doxorubicin; BSA: bovine serum albumin, MV: macrophage-derived microvesicle, FPD: 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[folate (polyethylene glycol)-2000], MTX: methotrexate, HA: hyaluronic acid; CUR: curcumin; PEG: polyethylene glycol; 5-Fu: 5-fluorouracil, SA: sodium alginate; PEGDA: poly(ethyleneglycol) diacrylate; GelMA: gelatin methacryloyl; PAM: polyacrylamide; CMC: carboxymethylcellulose; Aln: alendronate; CA: catechol; CS: chitosan; L-DP: L-dopa amino acid/poly(vinyl alcohol); eIm: 2-ethylimidazole; PAA: poly(acrylic acid); PVA: polyvinyl alcohol; PCL: polycaprolactone; LIG: lignin; BMP-6: bone morphogenetic protein-6; PLLA: poly-L-lactic acid; PG: polycaprolactone/gelatin; Phe: phenamil; Exo: exosomes; PLGA: poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid); FOS: fosfomycin; β-CDs: β-cyclodextrins; PDA/PEEK: polydopamine modified polyetheretherketone; PVDF: polyvinylidene fluoride; SCMs: stem cell membranes; ECM: extracellular matrix; DEX: dexamethasone; SF: silk fibroin; CMCS: carboxymethyl chitosan; CGRP: calcitonin gene-related peptide. | ||||||
Targeted and controlled drug delivery | ||||||
ZIF-8 | SCM | — | SCM coated ZIF-8 | — | Osteogenesis | 100 |
ZIF-8 | Gel | SIM and Aln | Aln/SIM@ZIF-8/Gel | — | Bone-targeted drug delivery | 101 |
ZIF-8 | PVP | ZOL and DOX | PVP coated ZOL@DOX@ZIF-8 | pH | Bone-targeted drug delivery | 102 |
ZIF-8 | PVP | ZOL and BSA | PVP coated ZOL@BSA@ZIF-8 | pH | Bone-targeted drug delivery | 102 |
ZIF-8 | FPD and MV | MTX | FPD/MV coated MTX@ZIF-8 | pH | Bone-targeted drug delivery and anti-inflammatory properties | 103 |
ZIF-8 | HA | CUR and Aln | HA/Aln coated CUR@ZIF-8 | pH | Bone tumor-targeted drug delivery and anti-cancer properties | 79 |
ZIF-90 | PEG | 5-Fu, ICG, and ZOL | ZOL-PEG coated 5-Fu/ICG@ZIF-90 | pH, NIR | Bone tumor-targeted drug delivery and anti-cancer properties | 80 |
ZIF-8 | PVP | ICG, Cyt c, and ZOL | ZOL-PVP coated ICG/Cyt c@ZF-8 | pH, NIR | Bone tumor-targeted drug delivery and anti-cancer properties | 81 |
ZIF-8 | ECM | DEX | ECM coated DEX@ZIF-8 | — | Osteogenesis | 78 |
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MOF-modified hydrogels | ||||||
ZIF-8 | SA | — | ZIF-8 modified SA | — | Osteogenesis | 104 |
ZIF-8 | CA and CS | — | ZIF-8 modified CA-CS | — | Osteogenesis and angiogenesis | 85 |
ZIF-8 | L-DP | — | ZIF-8 modified L-DP | — | Osteogenesis and angiogenesis | 105 |
ZIF-8 | Fibrin | — | ZIF-8 modified fibrin | — | Osteogenesis | 106 |
CuTA bioMOF | SF | — | CuTa modified SF | — | Osteogenesis and antioxidant and antibacterial properties | 86 |
Mg/Fe-MOF | PAA | — | Mg/Fe-MOF modified PAA | — | Osteogenesis | 107 |
ZIF-8 | GelMA | — | ZIF-8 modified GelMA | — | Osteogenesis and antibacterial properties | 108 |
ZIF-67 | GelMA and eIm | — | eIm/ZIF-67 modified GelMA | — | Osteogenesis | 109 |
ZIF-8 | PEGDA and SA | SIM | SIM@ZIF-8 modified PEGDA/SA | — | Osteogenesis | 87 |
ZIF-8 | PAM and CMC | Aln | Aln@ZIF-8 modified PAM-CMC | — | Osteogenesis | 110 |
ZIF-8 | GelMA and CMCS | CGRP | CGRP@ZIF-8 modified CMCS/GelMA | pH | Osteogenesis and angiogenesis | 82 |
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MOF-modified fibers | ||||||
ZIF-8 | PCL and Col | ZIF-8 modified PCL/Col | — | Osteogenesis and angiogenesis | 88 | |
ZIF-8 | PCL and LIG | — | ZIF-8 modified PCL/LIG | — | Osteogenesis and antioxidant and antibacterial properties | 111 |
Zn-Cu MOF | PLLA | — | Zn-Cu MOF modified PLLA | — | Osteogenesis and antibacterial properties | 112 |
ZIF-8 | PVA, CS, and HA | — | ZIF-8 modified PVA/CH/HA | — | Osteogenesis and antibacterial properties | 113 |
Ni-MOF | β-CDs | — | Ni-MOF modified β-CDs | — | Osteogenesis | 114 |
ZIF-8 | PCL | BMP-6 | BMP-6@ZIF-8 modified PCL | — | Osteogenesis | 97 |
ZIF-8 | PG | Aln | Aln@ZIF-8 modified PG | — | Osteogenesis | 115 |
CuBDC | PLGA | Exo | Exo@ZIF-8 modified PLGA | — | Osteogenesis and angiogenesis | 96 |
UIO-66 | CS | FOS | FOS@UIO-66 modified CS | — | Osteogenesis and antimicrobial properties | 116 |
ZIF-8 | PVA | VAN | VAN@ZIF-8 modified PVA | pH | Biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties | 117 |
ZIF-8 | CS | VAN | VAN@ZIF-8 modified CS | pH | Osteogenesis and antibacterial properties | 118 |
ZIF-8 | Gel | Phe | Phe@ZIF-8 modified Gel fiber | NIR | Osteogenesis, bone-targeted drug delivery and anticancer properties | 119 |
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MOF-modified PEEK | ||||||
ZIF-8 | PDA/PEEK | — | ZIF-8 modified PDA/PEEK | NIR | Osteogenesis and antibacterial properties | 98 |
ZIF-8 | PDA/PEEK | SIM | SIM@ZIF-8 modified PDA/PEEK | NIR | Osteogenesis and antibacterial properties | 99 |
Zn-Mg-MOF74 | PDA/PEEK | DEX | DEX@Zn-Mg-MOF74 modified PDA/PEEK | — | Osteogenesis and antibacterial properties | 89 |
Accordingly, Shen et al.79 illustrated a bone-targeted drug delivery system using the anti-osteoclastic drug curcumin (CUR) loaded onto pH-sensitive nanocarrier ZIF-8 and further coated it with dual-targeting ligands, hyaluronic acid (HA) and alendronate (ALN), termed CZ@HA/ALN. Leveraging the inherent pH sensitivity of nanocarrier ZIF-8, the Zn2+ and 2-methylimidazole bonds were disrupted by protonation in the acidic tumor environment, enabling drug release. The drug release profiles indicated that CZ@HA/ALN showed a Cur release efficiency of 52.25 ± 2.77% at pH 5.0, which was 3.3 times higher than that at pH 7.4, after 48 hours. HA and ALN, as tumor- and bone-targeting ligands, conferred cancer cell targeting ability to the CZ@HA/ALN system, as evidenced by its superior anticancer efficacy compared to free Cur. In mouse models with tibial metastases, the CZ@HA/ALN system achieved a tumor suppression rate of 51.62 ± 4.91%, compared to 18.61 ± 5.91% for direct CUR use.
Additionally, targeted drug delivery systems combining chemotherapy and photothermal therapy for bone metastasis have garnered attention. For example, Ge et al.80 employed ZIF-90 as a pH-sensitive drug carrier to co-deliver the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) and the photoactive agent indocyanine green (ICG). To improve stability and bone-targeting capability, this nanoplatform was further coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and zoledronic acid (ZOL), resulting in the formation of 5-Fu/ICG@ZIF-90-PEG-ZOL. As anticipated, both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that 5-Fu/ICG@ZIF-90-PEG-ZOL not only enabled the controlled release of 5-Fu but also achieved efficient photothermal conversion under NIR light at the metastatic bone cancer site, thereby significantly enhancing therapeutic efficacy. In a similar approach, Jiang and coworkers81 also reported a ZIF-8-based nanoplatform capable of effectively inhibiting cancer cells and bone metastasis in BALB/c mouse models.
Besides the extensive utilization of polymers, stem cell membranes (SCMs) have also been applied as coatings on the surface of MOFs to develop bioinspired targeted drug delivery systems. The notable advantages of SCMs lie in their ability to actively direct nanoparticles toward specific target cells, minimize immune responses, and prolong systemic circulation time. Moreover, SCMs can provide membrane proteins that facilitate the bone healing process. A representative study illustrating this approach is presented in Fig. 3. In this study, Liang et al.78 synthesized ZIF-8 nanoparticles loaded with dexamethasone (DEX) via physical adsorption, termed DEX@ZIF-8, followed by the coating of SCMs onto the nanoparticles to form DEX@ZIF-8-SCM. The effectiveness of the approach was demonstrated by the superior behavior of DEX@ZIF-8-SCM, which showed efficient cellular uptake and sustained DEX release in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The results from a rat femoral defect model further confirmed that DEX@ZIF-8-SCM significantly improved bone regeneration compared to MSCs (control group), ZIF-8, and DEX@ZIF-8.
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Fig. 3 The schematic illustrates the synthesis process of DEX@ZIF-8 and DEX@ZIF-8-SCM nanomaterials. Coronal and horizontal micro-CT images of femoral defect models reveal a markedly enhanced bone regeneration capacity in the DEX@ZIF-8-SCM group compared to the control, ZIF-8, and DEX@ZIF-8 groups. This figure has been reproduced from ref. 78 with permission from John Wiley and Sons, copyright 2022. |
Liu et al.85 modified a catechol-chitosan (CA-CS) hydrogel with ZIF-8 dosages of 0.6, 1.2, and 2.0 mg, respectively. Based on structural characterization analysis, ZIF-8 at a dosage of 1.2 mg was deemed suitable for developing an injectable CA-CS/Z formulation. The results of micro-CT analysis on an SD rat skull defect model showed that CA-CS/Z hydrogel possessed a bone volume/total volume ratio of 22.95% ± 2.39%, which was 1.5 times greater than that of CA-CS hydrogel and 2.7 times greater than that of the control sample. In another study, Cao and colleagues86 worked on MOF nanozymes from copper nanoparticles and tannic acid (CuTA), and then incorporated them with the silk fibroin (SF) to form CuTA@SF hydrogel. The CuTA@SF hydrogel had a pore size of 131.9 ± 11.10 μm and a porosity of 23.34 ± 5.70% and offered a biological framework for bone cell development. Indeed, CuTA@SF hydrogel reached promising results on models of femoral defects in New Zealand rabbits. Specifically, bone mineral density (BMD) was 0.3 g cm−3, bone volume/total volume (BV/TV) was 20%, trabecular thickness (Tb. Th) was 225 μm, and the trabecular number (Tb. N) was 1.05 mm−1.
On the other hand, Qiao et al.87 elevated the mechanical strength of hydrogels by developing simvastatin loaded with ZIF-8 (SIM@ZIF-8) and then dispersed it into a mixture of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) and sodium alginate (SA) to create a nano SIM@ZIF-8/PEGDA/SA hydrogel (defined as nSZPS). As expected, the nSZPS hydrogel possesses a mechanical strength of 1 MPa and is 1.6 times more durable than PEGDA/SA hydrogel. This advancement can be attributed to the interface binding force between the PEGDA/SA polymer matrix and nano SIM@ZIF-8. The nSZPS hydrogel with sustained release of Zn2+ (about 6 mg L−1) and SIM (about 4.1 mg L−1) stimulated osteogenic-related genes (ALP, RUNX2, OCN, and OPN) of BMSCs after 7 days. Lou et al.82 successfully fabricated a multifunctional composite hydrogel in which calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) was encapsulated within a ZIF-8 framework (CGRP@MOF) and subsequently incorporated it into a carboxymethyl chitosan–gelatin methacryloyl (CG) hydrogel matrix. The CGRP@MOF/CG hydrogel enabled the sustained release of both CGRP and Zn2+ ions, which promoted angiogenesis and osteogenic differentiation in both in vitro and in vivo models. Additionally, it modulated macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype, thereby enhancing the local immune microenvironment. Additionally, the hydrogel exhibited effective antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), emphasizing its potential applications in bone tissue regeneration and infection control (Fig. 4).
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Fig. 4 Schematic illustration of the synthesis process of the CGRP@MOF/CG hydrogel. The CGRP@MOF/CG hydrogel enables sustained release of CGRP and Zn2+, thereby enhancing antibacterial properties and promoting angiogenesis and osteogenesis-related factors. This figure has been reproduced from ref. 82 with permission from the Royal Society of Chemistry, copyright 2025. |
To address this drawback, Xue and colleagues88 employed ZIF-8 to modify polycaprolactone/collagen (PCL/Col) fibers. Specifically, after electrospinning and shaping into membranes, the PCL/Col fibers were directly immersed in a hydrothermal reactor containing zinc nitrate hexahydrate and 2-methylimidazole precursors to form a PCL/Col/ZIF-8 composite membrane. Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that the PCL/Col/ZIF-8 composite membrane provided a favorable microenvironment in which the sustained release of Zn2+ ions from the structure effectively stimulated bone tissue and blood vessel formation in a rat calvarial defect model, outperforming both PCL and Col membranes (Fig. 5a).
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Fig. 5 (a) Schematic illustration of the fabrication process of the PCL/Col/ZIF-8 composite membrane. The resulting composite membrane demonstrated promising potential for vascularized bone regeneration after 8 weeks of implantation in a rat calvarial defect model. This figure has been reproduced from ref. 88 with permission from John Wiley and Sons, copyright 2021. (b) Schematic illustration of the synthesis process of Zn/Mg-MOF74 coating on the surface of PEEK implants. Initially, PEEK was pretreated with PDA to increase surface adhesion. Subsequently, a layer of Zn/Mg-MOF74 was grown on the surface of PEEK-PDA via a hydrothermal method, forming a PEEK-74 composite. Finally, PEEK-74 was loaded with DEX to promote bone regeneration. This figure has been reproduced from ref. 89 with permission from the American Chemical Society, copyright 2021. |
In another study, Xu et al.96 incorporated CuBDC-MOF directly into the PLGA solution, followed by electrospinning to fabricate PLGA/CuBDC scaffolds. Subsequently, exosomes (Exo), which are biological agents that actively promote both osteogenesis and angiogenesis, were immobilized on the surface to form multifunctional PLGA/CuBDC@Exo scaffolds. Benefiting from the presence of CuBDC-MOF, the PLGA/CuBDC@Exo scaffolds exhibited a sustained release profile, maintaining approximately 90% Exo release over 7 days compared with the faster release observed within 4 days in the PLGA scaffolds alone. This sustained release environment significantly elevated osteogenic and angiogenic expressions (e.g., Ocn, ALP, Runx2, CD31, and VEGF) in in vivo models.
Besides, Toprak et al.97 directly embedded ZIF-8 nanoparticles loaded with bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6@ZIF-8) into the PCL solution before electrospinning to fabricate a PCL/BMP-6@ZIF-8 membrane. This composite system exhibited a high BMP-6 loading efficiency of approximately 98% and maintained a sustained release profile over 30 days. Owing to these properties, results from a Wistar rat calvarial defect model demonstrated that the PCL/BMP-6@ZIF-8 membrane achieved new bone volume formation of approximately 17%, which was 7% higher compared to the electrospun PCL membrane without BMP-6.
Based on this approach, Xiao et al.89 investigated the effects of surface modification of PEEK implants using a Zn/Mg-MOF74 coating. To facilitate the formation of MOF on the implant surface, PEEK was first treated with polydopamine (PDA), resulting in PEEK-PDA. Subsequently, PEEK-PDA was placed into a hydrothermal reactor containing the necessary precursors (Zn2+, Mg2+, and 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid) to form a Zn/Mg-MOF74 coating, denoted as PEEK-74. Prior to biological evaluation, PEEK-74 was further loaded with DEX to facilitate bone regeneration, yielding the final material, PEEK-DEX. As expected, both PEEK-74 and PEEK-DEX demonstrated significantly improved antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus compared to PEEK-PDA and unmodified PEEK, which can be attributed to the combined effects of ion release and drug delivery from the coating. Moreover, in vivo studies revealed that PEEK-DEX markedly accelerated new bone formation after 9 days compared to bare PEEK. These findings suggested that MOF-based coatings combined with drug loading on PEEK implants hold the ability to enhance antibacterial performance and promote bone regeneration, offering promising prospects for clinical applications in the treatment of complex bone defects (Fig. 5b).
MOF | Biomaterial | Bioactive | MOF-based biomaterial | Stimuli | Properties | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
a CaP: calcium phosphate; IL4: Interleukin-4 protein; MSN: mesoporous silica nanoparticle; AHT: alkali-heat treated titanium; ICG: indocyanine green; TNT: titania nanotubes; Nar: naringin; OGP: osteogenic growth peptide; Ti: titanium plates; DOX: doxorubicin; ICA: icariin; BG: bioglass; VAN: vancomycin; RSD: risedronate; CpG: cytosine–phosphate–guanosine; β-TCP: beta-tricalcium phosphate. | ||||||
Core–shell structure | ||||||
Mg-MOF-74 | MSN | — | Mg-MOF-74@MSN | — | Osteogenesis | 122 |
UiO-66 | CaP | CpG, ZOL | ZOL/UiO-66@CpG | Bone-targeted drug delivery and anti-tumor properties | 124 | |
ZIF-8 | Cu2−XSe | ICG | ICG/Cu2−XSe@ZIF-8 | NIR | Anti-tumor properties | 125 |
MgGA bioMOF | CaP, MSN | IL4 | CaP coated MSN/IL4@MOF | pH | Osteogenesis | 120 |
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MOF modified Ti implant | ||||||
Bio-MOF-1 | AHT | — | Bio-MOF-1 modified AHT | — | Osteogenesis and enhanced osseointegration | 123 |
ZIF-8 | AHT | — | ZIF-8 modified AHT | — | Osteogenesis and enhanced osseointegration | 126 |
ZIF-8 | AHT | — | ZIF-8 modified AHT | — | Osteogenesis and antibacterial properties | 127 |
Ce/Sr-PXBP bioMOF | AHT | — | Ce/Sr-PXBP modified AHT | H2O2 | Osteogenesis, enhanced osseointegration and mitochondria-targeted ability | 128 |
ZIF-67 | TNT | OGP | OGP@ZIF-67 modified TNT | — | Osteogenesis, enhanced osseointegration, and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties | 129 |
ZIF-8 | Ti6Al4V | RSD | RSD@ZIF-8 modified Ti6Al4V | — | Biocompatibility and enhanced osseointegration | 130 |
ZIF-8 | TNT | Nar | Nar@ZIF-8 modified TNT | pH | Osteogenesis, enhanced osseointegration and antibacterial properties | 131 |
ZIF-8 | Ti6Al4V | Iodine | Iodine@ZIF-8 modified Ti6Al4V | NIR | Osteogenesis and antibacterial properties | 132 |
Zr-Fc MOF | Ti plate | DOX | DOX@Zr-Fc MOF modified Ti | NIR, H2O2 | Osteogenesis, stimuli-responsive drug release and anti-tumor properties | 121 |
For example, Li and co-workers122 proposed a core–shell structure of Mg-MOF-74@MSN to control the release of Mg2+ ions, which are essential for bone development and regeneration. Specifically, Mg-MOF-74 was easily synthesized through a hydrothermal method. Subsequently, an approximately 40 nm thick MSN shell was coated onto the surface, forming the Mg-MOF-74@MSN system. The MSN shell effectively regulated the release of Mg2+ ions, slowing the release rate by approximately 1.4 times compared to pure MOF. This sustained ion release provided a more stable environment that supported bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) proliferation, which increased by over 50% after five days of culture. These findings imply the prospect of utilizing core–shell structures for enhancing bone regeneration in a more controlled and efficient manner.
Zheng et al.120 reported the synthesis of a multifunctional core–shell system based on MgGA bioMOF for applications in bone regeneration. The fabrication of this material involved three main steps. First, Mg-gallate MOF was synthesized to serve as the core structure. Next, an MSN layer was coated onto the Mg-MOF surface, acting as a template to guide and regulate the formation of the outer shell. Finally, a CaP layer was deposited onto the MSNs to create the complete core–shell architecture, referred to as MOF@CaP. Interleukin-4 (IL4) was then incorporated into the system, resulting in IL4-MOF@CaP, to further modulate immune responses and promote tissue regeneration. Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that IL4-MOF@CaP enabled controlled release of multiple bioactive factors: magnesium ions to stimulate angiogenesis, gallic acid to scavenge reactive oxygen species, and calcium and phosphate ions to facilitate ECM mineralization. Overall, this multifunctional platform provides a favorable microenvironment for vascularized bone regeneration (Fig. 6a).
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Fig. 6 (a) Schematic representation of an IL4-MOF@CaP nanosystem designed to enhance bone regeneration by combining key factors including immunomodulation, antioxidant protection, promotion of angiogenesis, and stimulation of osteogenesis. This figure has been reproduced from ref. 120 with permission from Elsevier, copyright 2020. (b) Schematic illustration of the surface modification of a titanium plate with Zr-Fc MOF and DOX for combined tumor therapy and bone regeneration. Upon dual stimulation with NIR and H2O2, the Zr-Fc-DOX coated titanium plate not only effectively eliminates osteosarcoma cells but also promotes bone cell adhesion and upregulates osteogenic gene expression to support bone regeneration. This figure has been reproduced from ref. 121 with permission from Elsevier, copyright 2023. |
Indeed, Wu et al.123 reported a successful surface modification strategy for alkali-heat-treated titanium (AHT) implants by directly growing bio-MOF-1, a type of MOF composed of Zn2+ and adenine, onto their surfaces. The in vitro results demonstrated that the bio-MOF-1@AHT coating significantly triggered osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by increasing alkaline phosphatase activity, promoting the deposition of ECM minerals, and stimulating the expression of key osteogenesis-related genes. Moreover, in results from an in vivo New Zealand white rabbit model, the bio-MOF-1@AHT implants showed superior peri-implant bone integration compared to unmodified AHT.
Yan et al.121 proposed a surface modification strategy for Ti implants using Zr-Fc MOF loaded with doxorubicin (DOX), aiming to achieve dual functions of tumor therapy and bone regeneration. Specifically, the Ti implant was modified through a hydrothermal process with ZrCl4 and 1,1-dicarboxyferrocene, leading to the formation of a Zr-Fc MOF coating on the Ti surface, referred to as Zr-Fc. Subsequently, Zr-Fc was further loaded with DOX to form the Zr-Fc-DOX system. Under the combined effects of NIR irradiation and hydrogen peroxide, Zr-Fc-DOX enabled efficient DOX release, thereby killing human osteosarcoma cells (Saos-2 and 143B). Meanwhile, for BMSCs, Zr-Fc-DOX exhibited superior cell adhesion and significantly upregulated the expression of osteogenic genes (ALP, Col-I, TGF-β, and Runx2) compared to the Ti implant. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating this multifunctional system to provide time-dependent tumor therapy while also promoting bone regeneration (Fig. 6b).
MOF | Organic | Inorganic | Bioactive | MOF-based biomaterial | Stimuli | Properties | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
a HAP: hydroxyapatite; DCPD: dicalcium phosphate dihydrate; n-HA: nano-hydroxyapatite; Cis: cisplatin; BMP-2: bone morphogenetic protein-2; PEI: polyethyleneimine; BCP: biphasic calcium phosphate; COL: collagen; PDGF: platelet-derived growth factor; Levo: levofloxacin; LCFRPEEK: long carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone; MACS: methacryloyl chitosan; β-TCP: beta-tricalcium phosphate. | |||||||
HKUST-1 | PCL and FA | AZ31 Mg alloy | — | FA@HKUST-modified PCL/AZ31 Mg | — | Osteogenesis and anti-corrosive properties | 135 |
ZIF-8 | PCL | DCPD | — | ZIF-8 modified PCL/DCPD | — | Osteogenesis | 136 |
MgGA bioMOF | PLGA | DCPD | — | MgGA modified PLGA/DCPD | — | Osteogenesis | 137 |
ZIF-8 | PDA and PEI | BCP | — | ZIF-8 modified PDA/PEI/BCP | — | Osteogenesis | 138 |
ZIF-8 | PLLA and PDA | HAP | — | HAP/PDA@ZIF-8 modified PLLA scaffold | — | Ion-controlled release and biocompatibility | 139 |
MgGA bioMOF | LCFRPEEK and MACS | HAP | — | HAP@Mg-GA modified MACS/LCFRPEEK | pH | Osteogenesis, angiogenesis and anti-inflammatory properties | 133 |
ZIF-8 | SF | Ti implant | DEX | DEX@ZIF-8 modified SF/Ti | — | Osteogenesis and controlled-release drug delivery | 140 |
Mg-MOF-74 | SF | Ti6Al4V | ICA | ICA@Mg-MOF-74 modified SF/Ti6Al4V | Osteogenesis, ion-controlled release, anti-inflammatory properties and enhanced osseointegration | 141 | |
ZIF-8 | CMC | HAP | DEX | DEX@ZIF-8 modified CMC/HAP | — | Controlled-release drug delivery and biocompatibility | 134 |
ZIF-8 | PDA, PLGA, and COL | TCP | PDGF | PDA/PDGF@ZIF-8 modified COL/PLGA/TCP | NIR | Osteogenesis and antibacterial properties | 142 |
ZIF-8 | COL, Gel, and CS | Ti implant | Levo | Levo@ZIF-8 modified Gel/CS/COL/Ti | pH | Osteogenesis, antibacterial properties and enhanced osseointegration | 143 |
ZIF-8 | Gel and PDA | HAP | Cis, BMP-2 | Cis-BMP-2@ZIF-8 modified Gel/PDA/HAP | pH, H2O2 | Osteogenesis, stimuli-responsive drug delivery and anti-tumor properties | 144 |
Dong et al.133 developed a multifunctional scaffold (SCP) through the rational integration of inorganic and organic components to enhance bone regeneration outcomes. Specifically, the core framework of this system is a three-dimensional sulfonated long carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (LCFRPEEK) scaffold, which exhibits an elastic modulus comparable to that of native bone, thereby improving mechanical strength and tissue integration. To further optimize the local microenvironment, a pH-responsive methacryloyl chitosan hydrogel layer was grafted onto the scaffold surface, providing adaptive responsiveness to pathological conditions. Embedded within this hydrogel are core–shell HAP@Mg-GA nanoparticles, in which the MOF shell functions as an intelligent drug delivery system, enabling the controlled release of magnesium ions and gallic acid to promote angiogenesis and exert antioxidant effects, while the HAP core supplies essential minerals for osteogenesis. As anticipated, both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that this multifunctional SCP scaffold exhibited superior immunomodulatory properties and promoted neovascularization and bone regeneration compared to each of its components (Fig. 7).
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Fig. 7 (a) Schematic illustration of the synthesis process of core–shell HAP@Mg-GA nanoparticles, in which hydroxyapatite (HAP) serves as the core and Mg-GA MOF forms the shell. (b) Schematic representation of a multifunctional scaffold (SCP), fabricated by integrating a 3D sulfonated LCFRPEEK scaffold (SCP) with pH-responsive methacryloyl chitosan hydrogel and pro-angiogenic and osteogenic HAP@Mg-GA nanoparticles, under UV-assisted crosslinking. (c) Illustration of the therapeutic performance of the multifunctional SCP scaffold in a rabbit tibial defect model. This figure has been reproduced from ref. 133 with permission from Elsevier, copyright 2023. |
In another study, Sarkar et al.134 designed a three-dimensional carboxymethyl cellulose-hydroxyapatite (CMC-HA) scaffold modified with DEX@ZIF-8 nanoparticles (CMC-HA/DEX@ZIF-8) as a localized drug delivery system for load-bearing bone applications. In terms of mechanical properties, the CMC-HA/DEX@ZIF-8 composite exhibited a viscoelastic stress–strain behavior under compression, resembling the typical deformation pattern observed in human bone. The composite demonstrated a compressive strength of 16.3 ± 1.57 MPa and an elastic modulus of 0.54 ± 0.073 GPa, both of which fall within the mechanical range of cancellous bone, indicating its suitability for orthopedic applications requiring mechanical support. Regarding drug release, the CMC-HA/DEX@ZIF-8 system provided a sustained and controlled release of DEX in vitro over 28 days without showing an initial burst release. Furthermore, in vitro studies using MC3T3 osteoblast cells confirmed that the CMC-HA/DEX@ZIF-8 scaffold significantly enhanced both cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation compared to the unmodified CMC-HA scaffold. These results illustrate the promising potential of developing advanced multifunctional scaffolds capable of simultaneously supporting essential properties such as mechanical integrity and controlled drug delivery for bone regeneration.
Despite the promising potential of metal ions incorporated into MOFs for bone regeneration, comprehensive and systematic studies addressing the optimal dosage and safety thresholds of these ions remain scarce. Recognizing the importance of this issue, we reviewed existing literature to gather relevant toxicological reference values. Reported median lethal doses (LD50) in rats include magnesium (8 g kg−1), zirconium (4.1 g kg−1), calcium (1 g kg−1), copper (0.025 g kg−1), zinc (0.35 g kg−1), and iron (0.45 mg kg−1). In comparison, the recommended daily intake levels for humans are magnesium (350 mg), zirconium (0.05 mg), calcium (1000 mg), copper (2 mg), zinc (15 mg), and iron (15 mg day−1).151–154 These findings emphasize the urge for further in-depth toxicological evaluations to assure the safe and effective clinical translation of MOF-based systems in bone tissue engineering.
Biological ligands are generally more favorable in terms of biocompatibility, as they originate from naturally present biomolecules and are more easily recognized and metabolized by living systems. MOFs synthesized using these ligands often exhibit reduced cytotoxicity and can serve as a reservoir to provide bioactive molecules that support bone cell proliferation and differentiation.63,86,133,157 However, MOFs built from biological ligands may suffer from lower structural stability and limited porosity in physiological environments, which can hinder their long-term performance.158,159
In contrast, synthetic ligands offer better control over pore size, chemical stability, and framework crystallinity. Common examples include terephthalic acid, trimesic acid, 2-methylimidazole, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, 5-aminoisophthalic acid, and gallic acid.160–162 These ligands can also be chemically functionalized with groups such as amino, nitro, carboxylate, or methyl to improve their interaction with the biological environment and to regulate drug loading and release behavior.163–165
Despite their versatility and growing use in biomedical MOFs, the toxicity and appropriate dosing of organic ligands in bone tissue engineering applications remain poorly studied. To date, no systematic investigations have clearly defined the safe concentration ranges or long-term biological impacts of these ligands when released in vivo. Reference data on LD50 in rats include the following values: 2-methylimidazole (1.4 g kg−1), trimesic acid (8.4 g kg−1), terephthalic acid (5 g kg−1), 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (5 g kg−1), 5-aminoisophthalic acid (1.6 g kg−1), and gallic acid (5 g kg−1).154,166,167
In the context of therapeutic agent loading for bone repair, MOFs can be incorporated with bioactive agents through two main strategies: (i) post-synthetic loading and (ii) one-pot synthesis. Post-synthetic loading enables easy control over drug type and loading content, making it compatible with a variety of bioactive substances.174,175 However, this approach may lead to reduced bioactivity or low loading efficiency due to limited surface area for adsorption.162,165 In contrast, the one-pot method minimizes processing time, reduces the risk of bioactivity loss, and typically achieves higher loading efficiency.97,111,143 Nonetheless, this technique still faces challenges in precisely controlling particle size, morphology, and porosity of the resulting MOFs.176–178
The strategy of developing MOF systems coated with inorganic components or targeting agents has been explored as the central topic of numerous studies due to its ability to address issues related to drug or growth factor delivery. These coatings have been shown to not only improve the stability and dispersibility of MOFs, but also to facilitate their targeting capabilities and controlled drug release, thereby contributing to improved bone tissue regeneration outcomes.102,103,124 However, these advancements also present certain limitations. The addition of inorganic coatings or biological targeting agents can complicate the synthesis process, making it challenging to precisely control the thickness and uniformity of the coating layers.
On the other hand, when integrating MOFs with inorganic, organic, or hybrid biomaterials, MOFs are commonly anchored via direct growth on the surface of the base materials, typically involving pre-formed implants such as Ti alloys, PEEK, or fibers. In this approach, the base materials are often immersed in a solution containing metal precursors and organic linkers to stimulate MOF growth directly on the surface. During this step, additional bioactive agents can be loaded into the MOF structures post-growth. This method offers the advantages of time efficiency and procedural simplicity; however, the adhesion strength of MOFs to the base material may not be as strong as that achieved through direct assembling techniques.126,127,131
The direct assembling method is commonly applied when MOFs or MOFs loaded with bioactive agents are incorporated into biological systems, most notably hydrogels. This approach allows precise control over the ratio of components and is well-suited for shaping gel-based systems.105,109 Nonetheless, a key challenge of this method lies in ensuring the homogeneous distribution of MOF particles within the hydrogel network, as aggregation or sedimentation may compromise the material's performance.
Moreover, MOFs possess an impressively high specific surface area, which facilitates the loading of substantial amounts of therapeutic agents, such as anticancer drugs and growth factors.114,115,178 The pore size and shape of MOFs can be finely tuned by alternating the use of metal ions or organic ligands, thereby optimizing their capacity for adsorption and the controlled release of bioactive molecules that are required for therapeutic applications.120,130 Additionally, the integration of MOFs into various material systems, including hydrogels, electrospun fibers, and three-dimensional scaffolds, significantly augments the porosity and surface area of these materials. This creates a favorable microenvironment that facilitates the infiltration of cells, nutrients, and growth factors, thus supporting efficient bone tissue regeneration.134,144
Despite the noteworthy advantages of MOF-based materials in bone tissue engineering, several limitations should be taken into consideration. Although particle size can be effectively controlled during synthesis, achieving homogeneous dispersion of MOF particles within the host matrix remains challenging. This issue is especially pronounced in soft materials such as hydrogels, where poor dispersion may lead to particle agglomeration and inconsistent mechanical properties within the composite material. In addition, while many MOFs exhibit good chemical and thermal stability, some structures are prone to premature degradation under physiological conditions. This degradation can result in the uncontrolled release of metal ions or therapeutic agents, potentially diminishing treatment efficacy and increasing the risk of cytotoxicity. Furthermore, although the incorporation of MOFs can strengthen the mechanical strength of biomaterials, the level of reinforcement achieved is often lower than that provided by conventional materials such as bio-ceramics or metals. This shortcoming restricts the application of MOF-based composites in scenarios that require the repair of high-load-bearing bone defects.
At the cellular level, numerous studies have demonstrated that MOFs can directly interact with bone-associated cells, including osteoblasts, osteoclasts, mesenchymal stem cells, and endothelial cells. MOFs are capable of promoting osteogenic differentiation by upregulating bone-specific markers such as ALP, Ocn, and Runx2. They also activate essential signaling cascades, including the PI3K/AKT-HIF-1α, PI3K/AKT, TGF-β/BMP, MAPK, and calcium signaling pathways.58,70 Concurrently, certain MOFs demonstrated effective angiogenic properties by stimulating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and other pro-angiogenic mediators in endothelial cells, thus contributing to neovascularization and bone regeneration.58,70,82 Furthermore, the controlled release of metal ions such as zinc, strontium, calcium, and magnesium plays a dual role: supporting bone matrix mineralization while modulating osteoclast-mediated bone resorption.137,138,140 These molecular-level interactions indicate that MOFs act not only as passive drug carriers but also as bioactive agents that participate in cell signaling regulation, ECM remodeling, and immunomodulation.
In terms of biocompatibility, extensive in vitro studies have confirmed that MOFs such as ZIF-8 (up to 100 μg mL−1) and Mg-MOF-74 (up to 1000 μg mL−1) exhibit negligible cytotoxicity toward bone-relevant cells, including rBMSCs, MG-63, and RAW264.7.69,101,102,122 Furthermore, bioMOFs composed of endogenous metal ions and biologically active ligands (e.g., adenine and gallic acid) demonstrate low cytotoxicity, favorable cellular uptake, and enhanced osteogenic potential.63,123,133 When used as drug delivery systems, MOFs have shown the ability to improve the therapeutic performance of agents such as vancomycin, dexamethasone, and simvastatin through targeted and controlled release mechanisms.78,87,128 Furthermore, MOFs and biomaterials derived from them have achieved expected results such as stimulating cell proliferation and differentiation in in vivo models with bone damage (e.g., rat, mouse, and rabbit).86,126,138,143
Regarding biodegradability, most MOFs possess inherent degradability in physiological environments. This behavior primarily stems from the relatively weak coordination bonds between metal ions and organic ligands, which are susceptible to dissociation under biological conditions, particularly in complex microenvironments such as bone implantation sites or metastatic bone tissues. Although the degradation of MOFs can be beneficial for releasing therapeutic ions and bioactive compounds, uncontrolled or rapid degradation may lead to excessive ion release, posing potential risks of cytotoxicity and inflammatory responses.117,132,144
To address this issue, various functionalization strategies have been elaborated using inorganic and organic modifiers to regulate MOF stability and modulate ion release kinetics safely and therapeutically. A representative example is ZIF-8, one of the most widely used MOFs, whose stability has been significantly enhanced through biomaterial integration. Specifically, functionalization with gelatin and chitin has extended its structural integrity to approximately 10 days under physiological conditions.143 Incorporation with polycaprolactone and gelatin has prolonged its degradation to 21 days,115 while coating with polydopamine and hydroxyapatite has further increased its stability up to 29 days.139 These findings demonstrated the feasibility of tailoring the biodegradation profile of MOFs to meet specific therapeutic needs, providing a solid foundation for the development of clinically applicable, bone-regenerative MOF-based biomaterials.
To overcome these challenges, the implementation of advanced technological tools such as artificial intelligence, data science, computational modeling, and machine learning in the design and development of MOF-based composites has become increasingly essential. These technologies can facilitate accurate prediction of material properties, optimize compositions and synthesis conditions, thereby significantly reducing experimental workload, accelerating development timelines, and improving cost-effectiveness.
Nonetheless, it is important to emphasize that this approach is inherently complex and requires close interdisciplinary collaboration across materials science, computational engineering, chemistry, biology, and data science. Only through strong interdisciplinary integration can the intelligent, efficient, and application-driven design of MOF-based composites be successfully achieved. This collaborative approach is particularly crucial for bone tissue engineering, where both structural integrity and biological functionality must be precisely engineered to meet clinical requirements.
As mentioned above, the application of advanced tools such as artificial intelligence, computational modeling, and machine learning can support the optimization of material structures and synthesis conditions. This approach helps save time, reduce experimental costs, and improve overall research efficiency, thereby offering a practical solution for developing MOF-based composites more cost-effectively and systematically.
Notably, the field of MOFs has experienced a rapid evolution in recent years, with more than 90000 distinct structures synthesized and reported, demonstrating remarkable structural and functional diversity. Nevertheless, only a small fraction of these MOFs have been commercialized into specific products, Basolite® Z1200 (ZIF-8), Basolite® A100 [MIL53(Al)], Basolite® C300 (HKUST-1), and Basolite® F300 (Fe-BTC). This highlights the vast untapped potential for the transfer and commercialization of MOF-based products, especially in the field of bone tissue engineering, where the demand for high-performance materials continues to grow. Such potential also serves as a driving force for future application-oriented and market-driven research.
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