Simvastatin-loaded sulfonated PEEK enhances angiogenesis and osteogenesis via miR-29cb2-mediated HIF-3α downregulation

Abstract

Bio-implants are widely used in clinic for repair defected bone, however, clinical trace always found that the poor osseointegration often results in bone repair failure. In this study, we investigated whether simvastatin loaded onto sulfonated PEEK (SP) surfaces enhances the bone formation effect of the SP samples. Our results showed that simvastatin loading could significantly enhance the formation of type H vessels, which are pivotal and specific vessels showing strong association with bone formation. Further, osteogenesis was found to be strongly correlated with simvastatin release. Based on experiments involving miR-29cb2 knockout and bone defect mice, simvastatin upregulated the expression of miR-29cb2, which suppressed HIF-3α expression, leading to the promotion of osseointegration and angiogenesis.