Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40275329›Full record

ArticleStem cell research & therapy2025

Nano-zinc oxide (nZnO) targets the AMPK-ULK1 pathway to promote bone regeneration.

Xiu Chen, Zhenkun Weng, Hongchao Zhang, Jian Jiao, Jingjia Liang, Jin Xu, Dongmei Wang, Qian Liu, Qing Yan, Aihua Gu

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Stem cell research & therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Advancing Nanomedicine: For Bone Defect Repair and Regeneration.International journal of nanomedicine · 2025
    Review
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Xiu Chen *State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
Zhenkun Weng *State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
Hongchao Zhang *School of Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital & Institute of Gallstone Disease, Tongji University, Shanghai, Nanjing, 200120, 211166, China.
Jian Jiao *State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
Jingjia LiangState Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
Jin XuState Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
Dongmei WangChangzhou Second People's Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, The Affiliated Changzhou Second People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 213004, China.
Qian LiuState Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China. qianliu@njmu.edu.cn.
Qing YanDepartment of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China. yq3880752@163.com.
Aihua GuState Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China. aihuagu@njmu.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7576-9998

Funding

National Science Foundation of China 82402946National Science Foundation of China 82404302National Science Foundation of China U21A20340Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province BK20240341Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China 24KJB330004Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province JX10314110Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province JX10314114
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNano-zinc oxide (nZnO) has attracted significant attention in bone tissue engineering due to its antibacterial properties, anti-inflammatory effects, biocompatibility, and chemical stability. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the enhancement of osteogenic differentiation by nZnO-modified tissue engineering materials, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly characterized.

methodsThis study aimed to identify the molecular mechanisms how nZnO promoted osteogenic differentiation and bone regeneration using transcriptome analysis, drug intervention, and shRNA knockdown techniques, etc. First, the study evaluated the in vivo effects of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) containing nZnO on bone regeneration using a mouse calvarial defect model. The impact of nZnO exposure on the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) was then assessed. The combined treatment of nZnO and MSCs in GelMA for bone regeneration was assessed in the mouse calvarial defect model thereafter.

resultsnZnO induced osteoblastic differentiation to promote bone regeneration. nZnO activated the AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK)-ULK1 signals to stimulate autophagosomes formation and facilitate autophagy flow, which was the essential pathway to induce osteogenic differentiation. The combined treatment of MSCs and nZnO significantly enhanced bone regeneration in calvarial defect mice. Conversely, AMPK inhibitor Compound C (C.C) reversed the effects on autophagy flow and osteogenic potentiality induced by nZnO.

conclusionsThese results highlight that nZnO can regulate bone regeneration by activating autophagy through the AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway, which may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for addressing bone defects using nZnO.

Indexed as

AMP-Activated Protein KinasesAutophagy-Related Protein-1 HomologBone RegenerationZinc OxideAnimalsCell DifferentiationMaleMesenchymal Stem CellsMiceMice, Inbred C57BLOsteogenesisSignal TransductionSkullAMP-Activated Protein KinasesAutophagy-Related Protein-1 HomologUlk1 protein, mouseZinc OxideAutophagyBone regenerationnZnO

Identifiers

PMID40275329
PMCPMC12023698

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.