High-purity magnesium pin enhances bone consolidation in distraction osteogenesis via regulating Ptch protein activating Hedgehog-alternative Wnt signaling

Magnesium alloys are promising biomaterials for orthopedic implants because of their degradability, osteogenic effects, and biocompatibility. Magnesium has been proven to promote distraction osteogenesis. However, its mechanism of promoting distraction osteogenesis is not thoroughly studied. In this work, a high-purity magnesium pin developed and applied in rat femur distraction osteogenesis. Mechanical test, radiological and histological analysis suggested that high-purity magnesium pin can promote distraction osteogenesis and shorten the consolidation time. Further RNA sequencing investigation found that alternative Wnt signaling was activated. In further bioinformatics analysis, it was found that the Hedgehog pathway is the upstream signaling pathway of the alternative Wnt pathway. We found that Ptch protein is a potential target of magnesium and verified by molecular dynamics that magnesium ions can bind to Ptch protein. In conclusion, HP Mg implants have the potential to enhance bone consolidation in the DO application, and this process might be via regulating Ptch protein activating Hedgehog-alternative Wnt signaling.