# Transformation of the Biological Paradigm in Bone Regeneration: An Integrative Review

**Authors:** Diyana Vladova

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/jdb14010014 · 2026-03-11

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how new biofabrication technologies are changing how we regenerate bone tissue, focusing on 3D bioprinting and bioinks to create personalized bone structures.

## Contribution

The paper provides an integrative review connecting bone biology with biofabrication, emphasizing the role of bioinks and biomimetic ECM in advancing regenerative strategies.

## Key findings

- 3D bioprinting allows precise control over cellular and biologically active components in bone regeneration.
- Bioinks and biomaterials are crucial for mimicking the extracellular matrix and supporting cellular function.
- A comprehensive theoretical framework for functional bone biofabrication is still lacking but presents significant research opportunities.

## Abstract

Bone tissue is among the most commonly transplanted tissues worldwide. The treatment of critical-sized bone defects remains a significant challenge, as there is currently no universally accepted experimental model or therapeutic standard. Recent advances in fundamental cell biology are driving a paradigm shift in approaches to bone regeneration, highlighting the transformative potential of biofabrication technologies that integrate tissue engineering with personalized regenerative strategies. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology enables precise control over the architecture and spatial distribution of cellular and biologically active components, facilitating the creation of complex, personalized bone constructs. Central to this process are bioinks and biomaterials that mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) and provide an optimal microenvironment for cellular function. Despite the substantial body of accumulated data, a comprehensive theoretical framework for functional bone biofabrication has not yet been fully established, emphasizing both the challenges and the innovative potential of the field. This integrative review synthesizes current knowledge on bone biology—from embryogenesis and cell–matrix interactions to molecular and neural regulation—and links it to the opportunities offered by biofabrication. Particular attention is given to bioinks as mediators between cell biology and engineering sciences, as well as to strategies for creating biomimetic ECM, optimizing scaffold design, and guiding future research toward clinically translatable bone regeneration.

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** DMP1 (dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein 1) [NCBI Gene 1758] {aka ARHP, ARHR, DMP-1}, TAC1 (tachykinin precursor 1) [NCBI Gene 6863] {aka Hs.2563, NK2, NKNA, NPK, TAC2}, PTHLH (parathyroid hormone like hormone) [NCBI Gene 5744] {aka BDE2, HHM, PLP, PTHR, PTHRP}, CD14 (CD14 molecule) [NCBI Gene 929], THY1 (Thy-1 cell surface antigen) [NCBI Gene 7070] {aka CD90, CDw90}, TNFSF11 (TNF superfamily member 11) [NCBI Gene 8600] {aka CD254, ODF, OPGL, OPTB2, RANKL, TNLG6B}, IBSP (integrin binding sialoprotein) [NCBI Gene 3381] {aka BNSP, BSP, BSP II, BSP-II, SP-II}, NT5E (5'-nucleotidase ecto) [NCBI Gene 4907] {aka CALJA, CD73, E5NT, NT, NT5, NTE}, IHH (Indian hedgehog signaling molecule) [NCBI Gene 3549] {aka BDA1, HHG2}, SP7 (Sp7 transcription factor) [NCBI Gene 121340] {aka OI11, OI12, OSX, osterix}, POSTN (periostin) [NCBI Gene 10631] {aka OSF-2, OSF2, PDLPOSTN, PN}, MGP (matrix Gla protein) [NCBI Gene 4256] {aka GIG36, MGLAP, NTI}, VEGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A) [NCBI Gene 7422] {aka L-VEGF, MVCD1, VEGF, VPF}, MEPE (matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein) [NCBI Gene 56955] {aka OF45}, CD34 (CD34 molecule) [NCBI Gene 947], RUNX2 (RUNX family transcription factor 2) [NCBI Gene 860] {aka AML3, CBF-alpha-1, CBFA1, CCD, CCD1, CLCD}, BGLAP (bone gamma-carboxyglutamate protein) [NCBI Gene 632] {aka BGP, OC, OCN}, IGF1 (insulin like growth factor 1) [NCBI Gene 3479] {aka IGF, IGF-I, IGFI, MGF}, ITGAM (integrin subunit alpha M) [NCBI Gene 3684] {aka CD11B, CR3A, HNA-4, MAC-1, MAC1A, MO1A}, CTNNB1 (catenin beta 1) [NCBI Gene 1499] {aka CTNNB, EVR7, MRD19, NEDSDV, armadillo}, ASPN (asporin) [NCBI Gene 54829] {aka OS3, PLAP-1, PLAP1, SLRR1C}, SHH (sonic hedgehog signaling molecule) [NCBI Gene 6469] {aka HHG1, HLP3, HPE3, MCOPCB5, SMMCI, ShhNC}, TNFRSF11B (TNF receptor superfamily member 11b) [NCBI Gene 4982] {aka OCIF, OPG, PDB5, TR1}, FN1 (fibronectin 1) [NCBI Gene 2335] {aka CIG, ED-B, FINC, FN, FNZ, GFND}, CD19 (CD19 molecule) [NCBI Gene 930] {aka B4, CVID3}, SOX9 (SRY-box transcription factor 9) [NCBI Gene 6662] {aka CMD1, CMPD1, ENH13, SRA1, SRXX2, SRXY10}, DCN (decorin) [NCBI Gene 1634] {aka CSCD, DSPG2, PG40, PGII, PGS2, SLRR1B}, KERA (keratocan) [NCBI Gene 11081] {aka CNA2, KTN, SLRR2B}, PTH (parathyroid hormone) [NCBI Gene 5741] {aka FIH1, PTH1}, SPP1 (secreted phosphoprotein 1) [NCBI Gene 6696] {aka BNSP, BSPI, ETA-1, OPN}, SOST (sclerostin) [NCBI Gene 50964] {aka CDD, DAND6, SOST1, VBCH}, BGN (biglycan) [NCBI Gene 633] {aka DSPG1, MRLS, PG-S1, PGI, SEMDX, SLRR1A}, TGFB1 (transforming growth factor beta 1) [NCBI Gene 7040] {aka CAEND1, CED, DPD1, IBDIMDE, LAP, TGF-beta1}, LEP (leptin) [NCBI Gene 3952] {aka LEPD, OB, OBS}, CALCA (calcitonin related polypeptide alpha) [NCBI Gene 796] {aka CALC1, CGRP, CGRP-I, CGRP-alpha, CGRP1, CT}, BMP2 (bone morphogenetic protein 2) [NCBI Gene 650] {aka BDA2, BMP2A, SSFSC, SSFSC1}
- **Diseases:** TE (MESH:D017695), high bone mass syndrome (MESH:C536030), traumatic brain injuries (MESH:D000070642), inflammatory (MESH:D007249), Fracture (MESH:D050723), osteoporosis (MESH:D010024), Calcification (MESH:D002114), hypertrophy (MESH:D006984), brain injury (MESH:D001930), bone defects (MESH:D001847), injury to (MESH:D014947), infection (MESH:D007239)
- **Chemicals:** polyethylene glycol (MESH:D011092), serotonin (MESH:D012701), phosphorus (MESH:D010758), chondroitin sulphate (MESH:D002809), apatite (MESH:D001031), polycaprolactone (MESH:C016240), oxygen (MESH:D010100), polyvinyl alcohol (MESH:D011142), calcium (MESH:D002118), prostaglandins (MESH:D011453), hydrogen (MESH:D006859), polymers (MESH:D011108), nitric oxide (MESH:D009569), HA (MESH:D006820), hydroxyapatite (MESH:D017886)
- **Species:** Rattus norvegicus (brown rat, species) [taxon 10116], Mus musculus (house mouse, species) [taxon 10090], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

1 figure with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13027023/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13027023