重组骨形态发生蛋白-7在骨损伤疾病治疗中的研究进展

骨形态发生蛋白-7(BMP-7)是具有强诱骨活性的蛋白质因子,已通过基因工程技术在体外得到表达,较长时间以来不断被应用于骨损伤疾病的研究,得到了确切的治疗效果。通过载体将BMP-7基因转入真核细胞,与生物聚合载体复合后植入体内,能表达并分泌活性的BMP-7,诱导骨细胞的生成,促进骨组织的修复,成为一种新的有效的治疗手段。     

石墨化炭/ 炭复合材料+ 羟基磷灰石涂层(C/C+HA) 复合骨植入材料研究

目的:通过建立兔股骨缺损的动物实验模型,对采用等温化学气相沉积法和等离子喷涂技术所制备的石墨化炭/炭复合材料+羟基磷灰石涂层(C/C+HA)复合骨植入材料进行骨植入实验的的生物相容性进行评价,探索该复合材料作为植入机体骨组织的可行性依据.方法:采用骨科钻在实验动物股骨髁上钻孔的方法建立骨缺损的动物实验模型,将待研究比较的实验材料分别植入实验动物的股骨髁内,持续观察8周,在术后第2、4、8周时应用X线照片、组织学染色和扫描电镜技术,分别观察所研究材料在机体内对骨缺损愈合及其对机体的影响,进行组间比较和相关性分析.结果:石墨化炭/炭复合材料+羟基磷灰石涂层(C/C+HA)复合骨植入材料的骨植入实验生物相容性良好,材料与骨组织结合牢固,界面中成骨细胞生长明显,且炭颗粒脱落现象少,未见炎症细胞浸润.植入动物体内的材料在植入期未引起机体局部的炎症浸润反应且表面脱落的碳颗粒在机体组织中也未引起局部严重的炎症反应.在实验动物植入材料后的连续8周观察期中,组织学观察显示:表面涂有HA的炭/炭复合材料对骨组织形态改建上表现良好,其与骨组织接界处所形成的纤维结缔组织膜层厚度明显比未涂HA的材料要小,与骨组织结合更为紧密和牢固;碳颗粒出现脱落游离的现象明显减少.结论:在炭/炭复合材料表面涂以HA生物涂层对骨的形态改建和促进骨小梁生长等方面具有良好的作用,是一种具有发展潜力的骨修复材料.     

牙源性干细胞复合微渠多孔羟基磷灰石支架成骨性能研究*

目的: 探讨牙源性干细胞复合微渠多孔羟基磷灰石支架(grooved porous hydroxyapatite scaffolds, HAG支架)的成骨性能,为骨缺损修复治疗提供新手段。方法: 从健康成人第三磨牙中提取牙周膜干细胞(periodontal ligament stem cells, PDLSCs)及牙髓干细胞(dental pulp stem cells, DPSCs)分别接种于HAG支架上,进行多向分化鉴定及碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase,ALP)活性测定;并通过CCK-8检测细胞增殖能力;逆转录聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)检测骨形态发生蛋白2(bone morphogenetic protein 2, BMP-2)、骨钙素(osteocalcin, OCN)和骨桥蛋白(osteopontin, OPN)等成骨相关基因的表达。体内研究中将搭载PDLSCs和DPSCs的HAG支架移植到裸鼠的背部皮下,8周后取材,组织切片后采用苏木精-伊红(HE)染色观察新骨形成,提取组织蛋白采用Western blot检测ALP、OCN等成骨相关蛋白的表达。结果: 体外研究中DPSCs复合HAG支架组的细胞增殖能力、ALP活性,以及成骨相关基因ALP、BMP2、OCN等的表达均高于PDLSCs复合HAG支架组。体内研究中HE染色显示,PDLSCs复合HAG支架组及DPSCs复合HAG支架组均较空白HAG支架组有更多细胞生长区、纤维细胞增生及骨基质形成,且DPSCs复合HAG支架组的骨基质面积更大,成纤维细胞数量更多;PDLSCs复合HAG支架组及DPSCs复合HAG支架组成骨相关蛋白的表达量均高于空白HAG组,且DPSCs复合HAG支架组中ALP蛋白表达量显著高于PDLSCs复合HAG支架组。结论: PDLSCs、DPSCs复合HAG支架在体内外均表现出良好的成骨性能,其中DPSCs复合HAG支架的成骨性能更为优异。     

石墨化炭/炭复合材料＋羟基磷灰石涂层（C/C＋HA）复合骨植入材料研究

目的：通过建立兔股骨缺损的动物实验模型,对采用等温化学气相沉积法和等离子喷涂技术所制备的石墨化炭/炭复合材料＋羟基磷灰石涂层（C/C＋HA）复合骨植入材料进行骨植入实验的的生物相容性进行评价,探索该复合材料作为植入机体骨组织的可行性依据。方法：采用骨科钻在实验动物股骨髁上钻孔的方法建立骨缺损的动物实验模型,将待研究比较的实验材料分别植入实验动物的股骨髁内,持续观察8周,在术后第2、4、8周时应用X线照片、组织学染色和扫描电镜技术,分别观察所研究材料在机体内对骨缺损愈合及其对机体的影响,进行组间比较和相关性分析。结果：石墨化炭/炭复合材料＋羟基磷灰石涂层（C/C＋HA）复合骨植入材料的骨植入实验生物相容性良好,材料与骨组织结合牢固,界面中成骨细胞生长明显,且炭颗粒脱落现象少,未见炎症细胞浸润。植入动物体内的材料在植入期未引起机体局部的炎症浸润反应且表面脱落的碳颗粒在机体组织中也未引起局部严重的炎症反应。在实验动物植入材料后的连续8周观察期中,组织学观察显示：表面涂有HA的炭/炭复合材料对骨组织形态改建上表现良好,其与骨组织接界处所形成的纤维结缔组织膜层厚度明显比未涂HA的材料要小,与骨组织结合更为紧密和牢固;碳颗粒出现脱落游离的现象明显减少。结论：在炭/炭复合材料表面涂以HA生物涂层对骨的形态改建和促进骨小梁生长等方面具有良好的作用,是一种具有发展潜力的骨修复材料。     

多孔n-HA/PA66支架复合rhBMP-2修复兔桡骨缺损的实验研究

目的 ：研究多孔纳米羟基磷灰石/聚酰胺66（nHA/PA66）骨修复材料作为骨组织工程支架复合基因重组人骨形态发生蛋白2（rhBMP2）后的成骨能力的变化,探讨加速nHA/PA66人工骨与受体骨愈合的方法。方法：选用新西兰大白兔双侧桡骨制作骨缺损模型,将nHA/PA66/rhBMP2复合材料植入左侧骨缺损处,右侧骨缺损以nHA/PA66植入作为实验对照,另做不植入任何材料的骨缺损空白对照。在1、2、4、8、12周各时相点分别进行大体观察、X线照片、组织学切片、免疫组化原位杂交进行检测图象分析。结果：nHA/PA66/BMP2与nHA/PA66组骨缺损均完全修复,而空白对照组骨缺损未见修复;2周时nHA/PA66与nHA/PA66/rhBMP2两组间原位杂交阳性细胞表达有统计学意义（ P<0.05）, 4周时nHA/PA66与nHA/PA66/rhBMP2两组间原位杂交阳性细胞表达无统计学意义（ P>0.05）,2周及4周实验和实验对照两组分别与空白对照组比较均无统计学意义（ P>0.05）,nHA/PA66/rhBMP2组较nHA/PA66组可加速人工骨/植入体/受体界面骨愈合。 结论：多孔nHA/PA66作为骨组织工程支架复合具有诱导成骨活性的rhBMP2后,增强了早期成骨能力,加速了其与受体骨的愈合。     

BMP9诱导人脐带间充质干细胞体内外成骨分化的作用研究

目的:探讨人骨形态发生蛋白9(bone morphogenetic proteins 9,BMP9)在体内外诱导人脐带间充质干细胞(human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells,hUC-MSCs)成骨分化的作用研究。方法:设立Ad-BMP9处理组和Ad-GFP对照组感染hUC-MSCs,两组细胞分别于3天、5天、7天进行ALP活性检测,14天后采用免疫组织化学染色检测骨钙素(Osteocalcin,OCN)、骨桥蛋白(Osteopotin,OPN)的表达情况,21天后茜素红染色检测矿化结节的形成;然后收集不同分组hUC-MSC用于裸鼠皮下注射成骨模型的建立,4周后取出离体骨进行Micro-CT扫描和分析,并进行H&E、Masson Trichrome、Alcain Blue染色。结果:BMP9处理组的ALP活性和矿化结节形成明显高于对照组,免疫组化染色结果显示BMP9诱导组的OCN、OPG的阳性表达明显高于对照组;裸鼠皮下注射成骨模型的观察结果显示,空白对照组没有形成肉眼可见的皮下包块,仅感染Ad-BMP9的hUC-MSCs能生成异位骨,且形成的异位骨骨量明显,骨密度平均值为396.05±0.60;H&E染色结果显示BMP9诱导生成的异位骨中形成部分成熟的骨基质和骨小梁,Masson Trichrome染色结果显示BMP9明显诱导hUC-MSCs的基质矿化作用,Alcain Blue染色结果显示BMP9明显诱导hUC-MSCs的软骨内成骨作用。结论:BMP9成功诱导人脐带间充质干细胞的体内外成骨作用,为临床骨组织工程的细胞疗法提供了明确的可行性。     

人结肠癌SW480细胞裸鼠皮下移植瘤DcR3基因的RNA干扰及其作用

目的:观察DcR3基因小干扰RNA(siRNA)对人结肠癌SW480细胞裸鼠皮下移植瘤DcR3基因表达的影响。方法:建立结肠癌SW480细胞裸鼠皮下移植瘤模型,瘤体注射脂质体与DcR3siRNA混合物,转染DcR3siRNA,免疫组织化学及RT-PCR检测观察DcR3基因的表达。结果:建立了结肠癌SW480细胞裸鼠皮下移植瘤模型;治疗后,治疗组移植瘤明显减小,空白对照组、阴性对照组肿瘤体积显著大于治疗组(P<0.01);各组肿瘤组织中DcR3基因均有不同程度的表达,治疗组表达程度明显低于阴性对照组及空白对照组(RT-PCRP<0.05,免疫组化P<0.01)。结论:人结肠癌SW480细胞在裸鼠皮下有良好的成瘤性;脂质体与DcR3siRNA混合物可特异性抑制结肠癌裸鼠皮下移植瘤内DcR3基因的表达。     

重组人骨形态发生蛋白-7与脱钙骨基质复合物双重骨诱导作用的生物学评价

将不同剂量的重组人骨形态发生蛋白-7(rhBMP-7)与脱钙骨基质(DBM)分别复合后,植入小鼠股部内侧肌间隙,三周后取材,通过组织学检查、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)及钙含量的测定比较各组的骨诱导活性。结果显示,三组复合物均有骨组织生成,中、高剂量组可见骨小梁、板层骨和原始骨髓腔,血管和骨髓丰富;低剂量组的成骨量明显少于中、高剂量组,且新骨的成熟度低于其他两组,DBM少部分吸收;单独植入rhBMP-7组有编织骨形成;而DBM组可见成骨细胞的聚集。rhBMP-7/DBM复合组在ALP和Ca含量水平上与同等剂量的两对照组相比均有显著性差异(P<0.01),而rhBMP-7三种剂量之间均有显著性差异(P<0.01)。这充分说明DBM作为rhBMP-7的合适载体,具有缓释作用,且二者复合可起到双重骨诱导活性;而且rhBMP-7的骨诱导活性具有一定的剂量依赖性。     

BrdU体内示踪骨髓基质干细胞生物学状态的效果分析

目的:探讨5-溴脱氧尿嘧啶核苷(Brd U)体内示踪骨髓基质干细胞(BMSCs)生物学状态的效果。方法:抽取健康成年比格狗骨髓,在传代培养中进行Brd U标记并鉴定,体外实验中测定细胞周期、凋亡率和细胞活力;在体内实验中将标记Brd U的骨髓基质干细胞植入自体股骨头缺损处,另一侧单纯植入自体骨作为对照,记录成骨量与分子标记物的表达情况。结果:骨髓基质干细胞的Brd U体外标记率为85.2%。Brd U组的细胞凋亡率为3.62±1.33%,未标记组为3.52±1.08%;Brd U组与未标记组的细胞成活率分别为96.31±1.39%和95.20±2.10%,两组对比差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。移植侧Brd U标记的骨髓基质干细胞免疫组化观察可见Brd U免疫组化染色阳性,阳性率为81.6%。骨髓基质干细胞移植侧缺损区的骨钙素、Ⅰ型胶原阳性细胞表达数量与强度明显高于对照侧缺损区;骨髓基质干细胞移植侧成骨量为17.46±2.12%,对照侧为9.06±1.24%,两两对比差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:Brd U在体外示踪骨髓基质干细胞能有效反映细胞的生物学状态,体内示踪显示移植的骨髓基质干细胞能成活,能促进骨组织形成和坏死骨修复。     

骨碎补总黄酮对去卵巢大鼠骨组织骨形态蛋白-2和血清骨钙素表达的影响

目的:研究骨碎补总黄酮对切除卵巢的雌性大鼠血清骨钙素和骨形态蛋白-2(bone morphogenetic protein-2,BMP-2)在骨组织中表达的影响。方法:取3月龄雌性大鼠30只,随机分成假手术组、给药组和空白对照组。假手术组仅去除卵巢周围脂肪,给药组在去除卵巢后连续15周灌胃给服强骨胶囊,其余给等量自来水。15周后处死所有大鼠,取股骨中段组织,行BMP-2免疫组化染色,镜下观察染色标本摄像并用Image图形分析软件分析各标本阳性表达率。另取大鼠血清以放免法测定其血清骨钙素含量。结果:免疫组化染色后,图片分析显示给药组和假手术组bmp-2阳性率明显高于对照组(p<0.05);给药组和假手术组血清骨钙素的表达明显高于对照组(p<0.05)。结论:骨碎补总黄酮对卵巢切除大鼠的BMP-2和血清骨钙素表达有促进作用。     

Enhanced Healing of Rat Calvarial Critical Size Defect with Selenium-Doped Lamellar Biocomposites

A 3D porous lamellar selenium-containing nano-hydroxyapatite (SeHAN)/chitosan (CS) biocomposite was synthesized. The selenium-containing hydroxyapatite (HA) grains of 150～200 nm in length and 20～30 nm in width were observed by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. A combination of X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and SEM indicated that HA particles were uniformly dispersed in chitosan matrix and there was a chemical interaction between chitosan and HA. Then, a standard critical size calvarial bone defect was created in Wistar rats. In group 1, no implant was made in the defect. In groups 2 and 3, HA nanoparticles (HAN)/CS biocomposite and SeHAN/CS biocomposite were implanted into the defect, respectively. After 4 weeks, the histological assessment clearly exhibited no significant changes, only found some living cells anchored in the periphery of the implants. After 8 and 12 weeks, most newly formed osteoid tissue was found in the SeHAN/CS implant group. Additionally, the newly formed osteoid tissue, both at the edge and in the center of implants, was bioactive and neovascularized. Microfocus computerized tomography measurements also confirmed the much better quality of the newly formed bone tissue in SeHAN/CS implant group than that in HAN/CS implant group (p?<?0.01). Collectively, the SeHAN/CS biocomposite, as a bioactive bone grafting substitute, significantly enhanced the repair of bone defect.     

国产多孔钽材料修复兔胫骨缺损的实验研究

摘要 目的：研究国产多孔钽材料能否在兔胫骨缺损模型中顺利实现骨长入,用于修复胫骨缺损。方法：在36只新西兰大白兔双侧胫骨骨干处建立骨缺损模型,每只动物左右侧缺损随机分组,分别进入实验组(植入多孔坦材料)和对照组（不植入多孔坦材料）。植入后4周、8周和12周取材,通过X线检测以及硬组织切片苏木精伊红染色,检测多孔钽材料与骨界面的骨整合情况。采用推出实验检测多孔钽材料与骨界面的结合强度。结果：将术后不同时间点取得的胫骨标本作X射线拍片分析,4周时,骨缺损端与材料结合部位有骨质生成,在8周时材料表面有骨形成现象,逐渐完全覆盖材料表面,在12周时骨量继续增加,形成覆盖材料并桥接骨缺损断端的骨痂。样本行硬组织切片并行HE染色后检测,植入4周后实验组材料两端被新生骨所覆盖,材料深部的孔隙中也可见少量骨组织长入;植入8周后发现实验组材料与骨组织生长良好,多孔钽材料表面和两端材料孔隙内均有骨组织长入,材料孔隙与组织紧密连接,有骨小梁长入;植入12周时两端骨组织长入深度没有明显变化,但材料表面骨组织继续长入,并完全嵌入圆柱体材料内。材料植入后4周与8周比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,材料植入后8周与12周比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。将植入4周、8周和12周后含材料样本置于动态疲劳试验机上进行推出实验,随时间延长所需推出力明显增加,植入后4周和8周相比,虽然后者所需推力较大,但两者比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,而8周和12周比较则差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论：国产多孔坦材料能在胫骨缺损中实现与骨整合,能用于皮质骨缺损修复。     

Fates and osteogenic differentiation potential of human mesenchymal stem cells in immunocompromised mice

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) from bone marrow were genetically marked by using a murine leukaemia virus construct encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). The marked cells were either directly implanted into the tibialis anterior muscle or introduced into a variety of other tissue sites in immunocompromised mice (NOD/SCID and C.B-17 SCID/beige) to investigate their fates and differentiation potentials. It was observed that the hMSCs survived for up to 12 weeks and showed site-specific morphological phenotypes. hMSCs delivered by intravenous injection were found mainly in the lungs and were detected rarely in other organs. Histomorphometry showed that, after implantation of hMSCs into the tibialis anterior muscle juxtaskeletally, the areas of reactive host callus formation at 1 and 2 weeks and of ectopic human bone formation at 1 week were significantly increased compared with the control group. Expression of eGFP and human RUNX2, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, osteopontin, and collagen type I mRNAs were detected in mice implanted with the labelled hMSCs but not in sham-treated samples. Active clearance of the reactive callus and ectopic calcified tissue by osteoclast-like tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells was observed. We conclude that the eGFP-labelled hMSCs can survive and retain the potential to differentiate morphologically into a variety of apparent mesenchymal phenotypes in vivo. Absolute confirmation of differentiation capacity requires further study and is complicated by known possibilities of fusion of donor and host cells or limited transfer of genetic material. Nevertheless, the genetically marked hMSCs are shown to participate extensively in bone formation and turnover. Control of the host osteoclast/macrophage responses resulting in clearance of formed osteogenic tissue warrants further investigation to promote prolonged human osteogenesis in immunocompromised mice. Furthermore, any proposed general cytotherapeutic strategy for enhanced osteogenesis is likely to require supplementation of local bone-forming biological signals.     

Evaluation of Biological Properties of Electron Beam Melted Ti6Al4V Implant with Biomimetic Coating In Vitro and In Vivo

Background

High strength porous titanium implants are widely used for the reconstruction of craniofacial defects because of their similar mechanical properties to those of bone. The recent introduction of electron beam melting (EBM) technique allows a direct digitally enabled fabrication of patient specific porous titanium implants, whereas both their in vitro and in vivo biological performance need further investigation.

Methods

In the present study, we fabricated porous Ti6Al4V implants with controlled porous structure by EBM process, analyzed their mechanical properties, and conducted the surface modification with biomimetic approach. The bioactivities of EBM porous titanium in vitro and in vivo were evaluated between implants with and without biomimetic apatite coating.

Results

The physical property of the porous implants, containing the compressive strength being 163 - 286 MPa and the Young’s modulus being 14.5–38.5 GPa, is similar to cortical bone. The in vitro culture of osteoblasts on the porous Ti6Al4V implants has shown a favorable circumstance for cell attachment and proliferation as well as cell morphology and spreading, which were comparable with the implants coating with bone-like apatite. In vivo, histological analysis has obtained a rapid ingrowth of bone tissue from calvarial margins toward the center of bone defect in 12 weeks. We observed similar increasing rate of bone ingrowth and percentage of bone formation within coated and uncoated implants, all of which achieved a successful bridging of the defect in 12 weeks after the implantation.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that the EBM porous Ti6Al4V implant not only reduced the stress-shielding but also exerted appropriate osteoconductive properties, as well as the apatite coated group. The results opened up the possibility of using purely porous titanium alloy scaffolds to reconstruct specific bone defects in the maxillofacial and orthopedic fields.     

Engineering of bone tissue with porcine bone marrow stem cells in three-dimensional trabecular metal: in vitro and in vivo studies

The aim of this study was to investigate capability of cell attachment and ectopic bone formation in pigs after either ex vivo transplantation and expansion of bone marrow stem cells (BMSc) into three-dimensional porous tantalum, or porous tantalum supplemented with BMSc. After 24 hours incubation, cells adhering to the porous tantalum discs were quantified by means of scintillation counting of 3H-thymidine-labeled cells. After 7 days of incubation, the cell-loaded porous tantalum discs were harvested for histological analysis or implanted in the infrasternal muscle; an empty disc and disc implanted immediately after cell loading served as controls. All implants were taken out after 8 weeks of implantation and histological examination was performed. The results of in vitro cell attachment to the porous tantalum discs were not improved significantly with gelatin, collagen or fibronectin coatings. Histological analysis of cell loaded discs in vitro demonstrated viable BMSc within the 3-D tantalum structure. In vivo bone induction was demonstrated when the porous tantalum discs were cultured with BMSc. Our findings indicated that porous tantalum was suitable for cell attachment, and ectopic bone formation in pigs was achieved by means of BMSc cultured with porous tantalum. The present study suggests that cell-mediated hard bone tissue repair technology makes it possible to prefabricate autologous BMSc into three-dimensional trabecular metal in order to engineer bone tissue.     

Bioactive nanoparticles stimulate bone tissue formation in bioprinted three‐dimensional scaffold and human mesenchymal stem cells

Bioprinting based on thermal inkjet printing is a promising but unexplored approach in bone tissue engineering. Appropriate cell types and suitable biomaterial scaffolds are two critical factors to generate successful bioprinted tissue. This study was undertaken in order to evaluate bioactive ceramic nanoparticles in stimulating osteogenesis of printed bone marrow‐derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in poly(ethylene glycol)dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) scaffold. hMSCs suspended in PEGDMA were co‐printed with nanoparticles of bioactive glass (BG) and hydroxyapatite (HA) under simultaneous polymerization so the printed substrates were delivered with highly accurate placement in three‐dimensional (3D) locations. hMSCs interacted with HA showed the highest cell viability (86.62 ± 6.02%) and increased compressive modulus (358.91 ± 48.05 kPa) after 21 days in culture among all groups. Biochemical analysis showed the most collagen production and highest alkaline phosphatase activity in PEG‐HA group, which is consistent with gene expression determined by quantitative PCR. Masson's trichrome staining also showed the most collagen deposition in PEG‐HA scaffold. Therefore, HA is more effective comparing to BG for hMSCs osteogenesis in bioprinted bone constructs. Combining with our previous experience in vasculature, cartilage, and muscle bioprinting, this technology demonstrates the capacity for both soft and hard tissue engineering with biomimetic structures.     

Hard tissue regeneration capacity of apical pulp derived cells (APDCs) from human tooth with immature apex

Recent studies indicate that dental pulp is a new source of adult stem cells. The human tooth with an immature apex is a developing organ, and the apical pulp of this tooth may contain a variety of progenitor/stem cells, which participate in root formation. We investigated the hard tissue regeneration potential of apical pulp derived cells (APDCs) from human tooth with an immature apex. APDCs cultured with a mineralization-promoting medium showed alkaline phosphatase activity in porous hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds. The composites of APDCs and HA were implanted subcutaneously in immunocompromised rats and harvested at 12 weeks after implantation. In histological analysis, the APDCs/HA composites exhibited bone- and dentine-like mineralized tissues in the pore areas of HA. This study suggests that the human tooth with an immature apex is an effective source of cells for hard tissue regeneration.     

Comparative Characteristics of Porous Bioceramics for an Osteogenic Response In Vitro and In Vivo

Porous calcium phosphate ceramics are used in orthopedic and craniofacial applications to treat bone loss, or in dental applications to replace missing teeth. The implantation of these materials, however, does not induce stem cell differentiation, so suitable additional materials such as porous calcium phosphate discs are needed to influence physicochemical responses or structural changes. Rabbit adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) and mouse osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) were evaluated in vitro by the MTT assay, semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and immunoblotting using cells cultured in medium supplemented with extracts from bioceramics, including calcium metaphosphate (CMP), hydroxyapatite (HA) and collagen-grafted HA (HA-col). In vivo evaluation of the bone forming capacity of these bioceramics in rat models using femur defects and intramuscular implants for 12 weeks was performed. Histological analysis showed that newly formed stromal-rich tissues were observed in all the implanted regions and that the implants showed positive immunoreaction against type I collagen and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The intramuscular implant region, in particular, showed strong positive immunoreactivity for both type I collagen and ALP, which was further confirmed by mRNA expression and immunoblotting results, indicating that each bioceramic material enhanced osteogenesis stimulation. These results support our hypothesis that smart bioceramics can induce osteoconduction and osteoinduction in vivo, although mature bone formation, including lacunae, osteocytes, and mineralization, was not prominent until 12 weeks after implantation.     

Dexamethasone-loaded hydroxyapatite enhances bone regeneration in rat calvarial defects

A combination of bioceramics and osteogenic factors is potentially useful for bone regeneration applications. In the present study, hydroxyapatite particles (HA) were loaded with dexamethasone (Dex) and then characterized using SEM and drug release study. The bone regeneration ability of Dex-loaded HA (Dex/HA) was investigated in a rat critical size bone defect using digital mammography, multislice spiral-computed tomography (MSCT) imaging, and histological analysis. The HA and Dex/HA showed nano and micro-scale morphology with a nearly homogenous distribution of diameter. In addition, about 90 % of the drug was released from Dex/HA over a period of three days. After 8 weeks of implantation in rat calvarial defects, no sign of inflammation or complication was observed at the site of surgery. According to digital mammography and MSCT, Dex/HA showed the highest bone regeneration in rat bone defects compared to those received drug-free HA. Histological studies confirmed these data and showed osteointegration to the surrounding tissue. Taking all together, it was demonstrated that Dex/HA can be used as an appropriate synthetic graft for bone tissue engineering applications. These newly developed bioceramics can be used as new bone graft substitutes in orthopaedic surgery and is capable of enhancing bone regeneration.