Pyroptosis-responsive microspheres modulate the inflammatory microenvironment to retard osteoporosis in female mice

Nat Commun. 2025 Aug 30;16(1):8127. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-63456-5.

Abstract

The treatment of osteoporosis and related bone defects remains challenging. This study identifies pyroptosis-driven inflammation as a key disruptor of bone homeostasis. To address this, we develop a magnesium-gelatin composite microsphere scaffold (GelMa/Mg/DMF MS) that exploit pyroptosis blockade and hydrogen-mediated inflammation regulation for osteoporosis treatment. This porous microsphere scaffold is implanted into bone defects to achieve the sustained release of hydrogen gas, magnesium ions (Mg2+), and dimethyl fumarate (DMF). DMF act by activating the nuclear factor erythroid-related factor 2 to prevent osteoblast pyroptosis, and combine with the antioxidant effects of hydrogen, effectively remodel the inflammatory microenvironment and create favorable conditions for the restoration of bone homeostasis. Mg2+ further expedite bone tissue repair. These results demonstrate that the GelMa/Mg/DMF MS effectively reverse inflammatory microenvironments both in vivo and in vitro, resulting in significant tissue repair. These results suggest the combination of hydrogen therapy and pyroptosis blockade as a potential therapeutic strategy.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cellular Microenvironment / drug effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Gelatin / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen / pharmacology
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Magnesium / chemistry
  • Magnesium / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microspheres*
  • Osteoblasts / drug effects
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism
  • Osteoporosis* / drug therapy
  • Osteoporosis* / metabolism
  • Osteoporosis* / pathology
  • Pyroptosis* / drug effects
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry

Substances

  • Hydrogen
  • Magnesium
  • Gelatin