Near-Infrared Light-Triggered Porous AuPd Alloy Nanoparticles To Produce Mild Localized Heat To Accelerate Bone Regeneration

The treatment of massive bone defects is still a significant challenge for orthopedists. Here we have engineered synthetic porous AuPd alloy nanoparticles (pAuPds) as a hyperthermia agent for in situ bone regeneration through photothermal therapy (PTT). After being swallowed by cells, pAuPds produced a mild localized heat (MLH) (40–43 °C) under the irradiation of a near-infrared laser, which can greatly accelerate cell proliferation and bone regeneration. Almost 97% of the cranial defect area (8 mm in diameter) was covered by the newly formed bone after 6 weeks of PTT. RNA sequencing analysis was used to obtain insight into the molecular mechanism of the MLH on cell proliferation and bone formation. These results demonstrated that the Wnt signaling pathway was involved in the MLH. This Letter provides a unique strategy with mild heat stimulation and high efficiency for in situ bone regeneration.