Monodisperse Branched Molybdenum-Based Bioactive Nanoparticles Significantly Promote Osteogenic Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are considered to be ideal stem cell sources for bone-tissue regeneration owing to their ease of collection and high activity. However, the regulation of osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs using biomaterials without adding growth factors is still not satisfactory. For the first time, molybdenum-doped bioactive glass nanoparticles with a radial porous morphology (Mo-rBGNs) are reported and their role in the osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs is investigated. The results show that Mo-rBGNs exhibit radially porous and spherical morphology, relatively homogeneous particle size (200–400 nm), and excellent apatite-forming bioactivity. They do not affect the proliferation of ADSCs, but significantly regulate their osteogenic differentiation and biomineralization. 5% Mo-rBGNs significantly enhance the alkaline phosphatase activity and biomineralization ability and promote the osteogenic gene expressions of collagen I secretion and bone sialo protein in ADSCs. A reasonable and promising strategy for designing nanoscale bioactive materials with the excellent osteogenic ability for stem cell–based bone tissue regeneration is provided.