重组人骨形态发生蛋白2-肝素-人工骨复合材料的骨诱导活性

背景：已有将重组人骨形态发生蛋白2应用于骨再生及修复的报道,但由于其在生物体内半衰期短而导致诱导骨形成的能力受到限制。 目的：制备具有较好缓释效果的重组人骨形态发生蛋白2-肝素-人工骨复合材料,并检测其缓释性能及骨诱导活性。 方法：通过高效液相色谱法检测重组人骨形态发生蛋白2-肝素复合物对于酶解的保护作用。将重组人骨形态发生蛋白2与肝素溶液混匀后复合于人工骨材料表面,ELISA方法检测其体外释药性质,茜素红染色法检测其诱导成骨细胞的能力,应用小鼠体内实验评价其异位骨诱导能力。 结果与结论：成功制备了具有良好缓释效果的重组人骨形态发生蛋白2-肝素-人工骨复合材料,具有较强的诱导骨钙蛋白及异位骨形成能力。     

重组人骨形态发生蛋白2诱导骨修复的应用及前景

背景：重组人骨形态发生蛋白2具备诱导成骨时间更早、成骨量较天然骨形态发生蛋白2多、生物学活性好、生物相容性好、成本低等特点,已成为近年来临床骨科创伤疾病防治研究的热点。 目的：总结重组人骨形态发生蛋白2在骨组织工程及骨修复领域应用中的优势、不足及目前国内外的研究进展。 方法：经第一作者检索CNKI数据库及SPRINGERLINK数据库2005至2011年与重组人骨形态发生蛋白2在诱导骨再生、骨组织修复有关研究进展方面的文献,英文检索词为“rhBMP-2,bone tissue engineering,bone repair materials”,中文检索词为“重组人骨形态发生蛋白2,骨组织工程,骨修复”。共检索出98篇,最终保留30篇进行归纳总结。 结果与结论：骨骼内天然骨形态发生蛋白2含量稀少、提取成本高昂,临床应用严重受限。重组人骨形态发生蛋白2有显著的成骨诱导能力,在骨组织工程及骨修复领域展现了巨大的潜在应用价值。体外试验无细胞毒性具有良好的生物相容性可供临床应用,其中重组人骨形态发生蛋白2和重组人骨形态发生蛋白7现已被应用于外科整形手术诱导骨再生,但由于重组人骨形态发生蛋白2是外源性细胞生长因子,临床应用多为超生理剂量,故潜在有软组织水肿,皮肤红疹、局部炎症反应、异位骨化和免疫反应等不良后果的危险,所以重组人骨形态发生蛋白2用于人体后的安全性研究还须长期密切关注。找到理想的载体,有效控制其在体内缓释是重组人骨形态发生蛋白2应用研究的关键问题。     

自制人骨形态发生蛋白2复合骨修复材料诱导骨再生

背景:骨形态发生蛋白是目前发现的一类惟一可独立诱导骨再生的细胞因子,临床应用前景广阔。但它们价格昂贵,限制了在中国的应用。目的:探讨自主生产的重组人骨形态发生蛋白2的骨诱导活性及对骨缺损的修复作用。方法:通过电泳及质谱的方法检测其复性后重组人骨形态发生蛋白2的纯度,通过C2C12细胞在重组人骨形态发生蛋白2诱导下向成骨细胞分化检测其骨诱导活性。将重组人骨形态发生蛋白2与以动物骨为原料加工制成的新型骨修复材料复合,植入新西兰兔桡骨缺损实验模型观察其对骨缺损的修复作用。结果与结论:自主生产的重组人骨形态发生蛋白2纯度≥95%,能明显诱导C2C12细胞向成骨细胞分化,分化早期大量表达碱性磷酸酶,分化末期形成大量的矿化小节,诱骨活性良好。在兔桡骨修复试验中,X射线影像学及苏木精-伊红染色组织学检查结果表明,重组人骨形态发生蛋白2复合材料组在2个月时形成大量骨痂,4～6个月时载体与自体骨融合,材料大量降解,修复效果良好;单纯骨填充材料组4～6个月时只有少量新生骨桥与自体骨连接,降解量极少;空白对照组损伤部位为纤维化组织所填充。结果提示自主生产的重组人骨形态发生蛋白2促进骨修复作用明显,适合应用于临床。     

自固化磷酸钙人工骨Ⅱ型诱导成骨及修复腱骨界面损伤的生物力学分析

背景：自固化磷酸钙人工骨Ⅱ型与重组人骨形态发生蛋白均有一定的成骨诱导作用,存在修复腱骨界面损伤的可能。 目的：探讨自固化磷酸钙人工骨Ⅱ型的成骨诱导作用及修复腱骨界面损伤生物力学情况。 方法：35只成年健康的新西兰白兔,随机选取5只,处死后取双侧肩关节腱骨界面标本作为正常对照。剩余30只构建腱骨界面损伤模型后,随机等分为实验组和模型组,模型组不填塞任何药物,实验组填塞自固化磷酸钙人工骨Ⅱ型进行修复。 结果与结论：填塞自固化磷酸钙人工骨Ⅱ型后,兔损伤腱骨界面明显恢复,且随时间的延长,修复效果更佳,骨形态发生蛋白2表达水平也随之增加,损伤腱骨界面最大抗拉强度以及最大刚度明显增加。表明利用自固化磷酸钙人工骨Ⅱ型复合重组人骨形态发生蛋白对腱骨界面损伤进行修复具有良好的成骨诱导作用,可以促进损伤的修复。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程     

锌指蛋白3调节骨形态发生蛋白2诱导C3H10T1/2细胞的成骨分化

背景：骨形态发生蛋白2是参与骨骼生长发育和修复的重要因子,近年来的研究发现锌指蛋白3参与调节转化生长因子β信号的转导,该研究以此为基础开展研究。目的：探讨抑制锌指蛋白3对骨形态发生蛋白2诱导C3H10T1/2细胞成骨分化的影响。方法：以小鼠间充质干细胞系C3H10T1/2细胞为研究对象,设置绿色荧光蛋白、骨形态发生蛋白2、锌指蛋白3、骨形态发生蛋白2+锌指蛋白3重组腺病毒转染组,增强骨形态发生蛋白2表达,抑制锌指蛋白3表达。采用碱性磷酸酶染色检测碱性磷酸酶的表达;RT-qPCR检测骨形态发生蛋白2、锌指蛋白3及成骨、成血管标志物mRNA转录水平;免疫组织化学染色检测Ⅰ型胶原、血管内皮生长因子及内皮黏蛋白表达水平;茜素红染色及半定量分析检测钙盐沉积水平;裸鼠皮下成骨实验检测异位骨块形成情况。结果与结论：(1)骨形态发生蛋白2重组腺病毒能诱导C3H10T1/2细胞的成骨分化,与骨形态发生蛋白重组腺病毒组比较,骨形态发生蛋白2+锌指蛋白3重组腺病毒组成骨标志物碱性磷酸酶、Ⅰ型胶原、成骨细胞特异性转录因子、骨钙素、Runt相关转录因子2及成血管标志物神经轴突导向因子、血管内皮生长因子、血管性血...     

重组人骨形态发生蛋白2壳聚糖纳米微球的制备及体外细胞毒性

背景：通过各种微球负载骨生长因子使骨形态发生蛋白达到缓释效果逐渐成为研究热点,但关于载药壳聚糖纳米微球的生物相容性特别是细胞毒性的报道较少。 目的：对重组人骨形态发生蛋白2壳聚糖纳米微球进行细胞毒性检测,评估应用壳聚糖纳米微球作为重组人骨形态发生蛋白2缓释载体的生物安全性。 方法：通过离子交联法制备空白壳聚糖纳米微球,应用透视电镜观察微球的形态,激光粒径分析其粒径分布;通过重组人骨形态发生蛋白2壳聚糖纳米微球体外细胞毒性试验评估微球的生物安全性。 结果与结论：离子交联法制备的壳聚糖微球,球形规整,分散均匀,微球平均粒径为230 nm,分布较集中。载药及空白微球的反应分级为0或1级,均为合格。提示,离子交联法制备可成功制备出负载重组人骨形态发生蛋2的纳米微球,且微球细胞毒性检测合格,为进一步的骨组织工程研究提供理论实验基础。     

骨形态发生蛋白2/聚乳酸缓释微球的制备及表征

背景:聚乳酸具有良好的生物相容性,是优良的药物缓释载体。目的:制备重组人骨形态发生蛋白2/聚乳酸缓释微球,考察其理化特性。方法:采用复乳溶剂挥发法制备重组人骨形态发生蛋白2/聚乳酸缓释微球,进行扫描电镜、激光粒度、Zeta电位、溶胀性能检测及采用ELISA试剂盒检测包封率、载药率及体外释药率。结果与结论:扫描电镜见重组人骨形态发生蛋白2/聚乳酸缓释微球微球近似圆形,形态较规则,分散性较好,表面光滑。激光粒度分析重组人骨形态发生蛋白2/聚乳酸缓释微球微平均粒径839.6 nm,Zeta电位(-32.93±3.74)mV,微球溶胀系数1.157±0.059,包封率及载药率分别为(88.943±2.878)%,(0.026±0.001)%;微球在第1天释药约10.199%,随后释药较恒定,至第19天累计释药率为54.643%。说明制备出的重组人骨形态发生蛋白2/聚乳酸缓释微球的粒径达到中华人民共和国药典第10版二部关于亚微球的定义标准及包封率不低于80%的要求,并且在体外具有很好的缓释功能。     

生长因子缓释系统复合纳米支架材料修复犬下颌骨缺损

背景：支架材料联合细胞因子构建组织工程骨不受血管化和细胞培养因素的限制,这种构建模式可能诱导出较大体积的实用型组织工程骨。 目的：观察壳聚糖纳米微球/纳米羟基磷灰石/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸复合生长因子缓释支架修复犬下颌骨临界骨缺损的能力。 方法：取杂种犬12条,制作双侧下颌骨临界骨缺损模型,一侧植入复合生长因子骨形态发生蛋白2、转化生长因子β1及血管内皮生长因子165的壳聚糖纳米微球/纳米羟基磷灰石/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸缓释支架(实验组),另一侧植入壳聚糖纳米微球/纳米羟基磷灰石/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸缓释支架(对照组),术后4,8,12周取下颌骨标本行X 射线、组织学及免疫组织化学检查。 结果与结论：实验组术后不同时间点X射线灰度值及骨钙素积分吸光度值均高于对照组(P < 0.05),表明复合生长因子的支架材料修复骨缺损的成骨能力优于未复合生长因子的支架材料。组织学观察结果显示,实验组术后不同时间点成骨时间及效果均优于对照组,表明复合生长因子骨形态发生蛋白2、转化生长因子β1及血管内皮生长因子165的壳聚糖纳米微球/纳米羟基磷灰石/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸缓释支架可更快更有效地促进骨缺损修复。     

重组人骨形态发生蛋白2复合骨在腰椎融合中的效果

背景：诸多研究已证实重组人骨形态发生蛋白2在骨形成及骨折愈合中发挥十分重要的作用,但单纯予以重组人骨形态发生蛋白2植入容易出现扩散和降解,无法对新骨形成予以持续性的影响。 目的：观察重组人骨形态发生蛋白2复合骨在兔腰椎中的融合效果。 方法：取30只新西兰大白兔,构建后路腰椎横突间植骨融合模型,随机均分为3组,分别在L5-6横突间植入自体髂骨、同种异体骨及重组人骨形态发生蛋白2复合骨(重组人骨形态发生蛋白2与同种异体骨复合物),植入后6周,进行大体观察、X射线检查及组织学观察。 结果与结论：重组人骨形态发生蛋白2复合骨组融合率、新生骨组织在总面积中所占百分比高于自体髂骨组、同种异体骨组(P < 0.05);重组人骨形态发生蛋白2复合骨组、自体髂骨组拉伸强度大于同种异体骨组(P < 0.05),前两组拉伸强度无差异。X射线显示3组植骨区均可见骨痂形成;组织学显示,自体髂骨组移植物已消失,形成大量软骨,有少量骨小梁,并有一定编织骨形成;同种异体骨组有较多的纤维组织包裹材料,有骨岛形成,有数量较少的骨小梁及软骨形成;重组人骨形态发生蛋白2复合骨组存在大量骨小梁和少量软骨,形成编织骨且有皮质骨形成。表明重组人骨形态发生蛋白2复合骨在兔腰椎中可以获得良好的融合效果。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程     

用于组织工程骨的磁性聚乳酸乙醇酸共聚物-骨形态发生蛋白2微球的合成及检测*

背景：组织工程骨支架常因支架材料的孔隙率不佳和无法以合适的方式提供生物活性因子给种子细胞,导致支架对细胞的黏附及诱导性不强,成骨效率低下。 目的：合成一种新型的可用于组织工程骨的磁性聚乳酸乙醇酸共聚物-骨形态发生蛋白2缓释微球并对其各项性能进行检测分析。 方法：复乳法合成磁性聚乳酸乙醇酸共聚物-骨形态发生蛋白2微球。 结果与结论：扫描电镜下可见微球呈正圆形,粒径10~100 μm;激光共聚焦显微镜下可见重组人骨形态发生蛋白2在微球上分布均匀;振动样品磁强计检测结果显示微球具有超顺磁性;微球载药量为(1.00±0.18) μg/g;微球对其具有缓释效果;经45 ℃处理微球后测得微球载药量为(0.98±0.20) μg/g。说明合成的磁性聚乳酸乙醇酸共聚物-骨形态发生蛋白2缓释微球具有一系列良好的特性,为新型磁性组织工程骨支架的研制奠定了基础。      

Controlled-release of rhBMP-2 carriers in the regeneration of osteonecrotic bone

Untreated osteonecrosis of the hip causes collapse of the femoral head and eventually leads to the development of premature degenerative arthritis. In order to reverse this late complication after the core decompression procedure, we studied three different types of carriers used to entrap recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in terms of their performance in osteonecrosis regeneration and creeping substitution in Balb/C mice. The rhBMP-2 was loaded into PLGA–HAp microsphere in three different ways. We first verified the therapeutic dose in vitro using D1 and C2C12 cells. Then the individual performance of the three carrier preparations in vivo was examined by soft X-ray observation, histological analysis and immunostaining of bone tissue. In addition, the BMP-2 protein concentration activity in the serum was monitored. The results revealed that the bioactivity of rhBMP-2 released from a carrier with an ideal therapeutic dose was well maintained; this eventually helped to improve the healing and substitution of necrotic bone in vivo. These observations demonstrate that the in vivo performance of these newly developed rhBMP-2 delivery carriers correlates well with their in vitro release profiles. We concluded that sustained controlled-release of rhBMP-2 above a therapeutic dose could not only induce early callus wrapping of the necrotic bone but also produce neovascularization and substitution inside of the dead bone.     

Improvement of porous beta-TCP scaffolds with rhBMP-2 chitosan carrier film for bone tissue application

Ceramic materials are osteoconductive matrices extensively used in bone tissue engineering approaches. The performance of these types of biomaterials can be greatly enhanced by the incorporation of bioactive agents and materials. It is previously reported that chitosan is a biocompatible, biodegradable material that enhances bone formation. In the other hand, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is a well-known osteoinductive factor. In this work we coated porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) scaffolds with recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) carrier chitosan films and studied how they could modify the ceramic physicochemical properties, cellular response, and in vivo bone generation. Initial beta-TCP disks with an average diameter of 5.78 mm, 2.9 mm thickness, and 53% porosity were coated with a chitosan film. These coating properties were studied by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform-infrared analysis, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Treatment modified the scaffold porous distribution and increased the average hardness. The biocompatibility did not seem to be altered. In addition, adhered C2C12 cells expressed alkaline phosphatase activity, related to cell differentiation toward osteogenic lineage, due to the incorporation of rhBMP-2. On the other hand, in vivo observations showed new bone formation 3 weeks after surgery, a much shorter time than control beta-TCP ceramics. These results suggest that developed coating improved porous beta-TCP scaffold for bone tissue applications and added osteoinductive properties.     

Carrier dependent cell differentiation of bone morphogenetic protein-2 induced osteogenesis and chondrogenesis during the early implantation stage in rats

To evaluate the osteoinductive effects of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP)-2 during the early stages of rat ectopic bone formation, we prepared two distinct carriers. Two carriers, insoluble bone matrix (IBM) and fibrous glass membrane (FGM) were combined with rhBMP-2 and implanted into the backs of rats to evaluate the osteoinductive effects of the two rhBMP-2 carrier systems. Insoluble bone matrix particle size was 320 to 620 microm. Fibrous glass membrane was constructed from unwoven glass fibers 1 microm in diameter. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and type II collagen were detected in IBM/rhBMP-2 at 5 days postimplantation. Calcium (Ca) was also detected in IBM/rhBMP-2 at 7 and 9 days postimplantation. In contrast, ALP and type II collagen were detected in FGM/rhBMP-2 at 7 days. Calcium was undetected, indicating that the bone formation in IBM/rhBMP-2 proceeded faster than in FGM/rhBMP-2 during the early stage of BMP-induced osteogenesis. In addition, mRNA expression level of KDR, a receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor, was also increased in IBM/rhBMP-2. To investigate the in vivo release profile of rhBMP-2, iodine 125 ((125)I)-labeled BMP-2-incorporating IBM and FGM implants were inserted into the back subcutis of mice. More than 60% of the rhBMP-2 was released from the IBM/rhBMP-2 carrier within 1 day after implantation, whereas 50% of the rhBMP-2 was released from the FGM/rhBMP-2 10 days postimplantation. These results indicated that osteo- and chondrogenesis depends highly upon the geometry of the carrier and the in situ retention of rhBMP-2 during the early stage of rhBMP-2 induced bone formation.     

The effects of rhBMP-2 released from biodegradable polyurethane/microsphere composite scaffolds on new bone formation in rat femora

Scaffolds prepared from biodegradable polyurethanes (PUR) have been investigated as a supportive matrix and delivery system for skin, cardiovascular, and bone tissue engineering. While previous studies have suggested that PUR scaffolds are biocompatible and moderately osteoconductive, the effects of encapsulated osteoinductive molecules, such as recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2), on new bone formation have not been investigated for this class of biomaterials. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different rhBMP-2 release strategies on new bone formation in PUR scaffolds implanted in rat femoral plug defects. In the simplest approach, rhBMP-2 was added as a dry powder prior to the foaming reaction, which resulted in a burst release of 35% followed by a sustained release for 21 days. Encapsulation of rhBMP-2 in either 1.3-micron or 114-micron PLGA microspheres prior to the foaming reaction reduced the burst release. At 4 weeks post-implantation, all rhBMP-2 treatment groups enhanced new bone formation relative to the scaffolds without rhBMP-2. Scaffolds incorporating rhBMP-2 powder promoted the most extensive new bone formation, while scaffolds incorporating rhBMP-2 encapsulated in 1.3-micron microspheres, which exhibited the lowest burst release, promoted the least extensive new bone formation. Thus our observations suggest that an initial burst release followed by sustained release is better for promoting new bone formation.     

Bone regeneration using photocrosslinked hydrogel incorporating rhBMP-2 loaded 2-N, 6-O-sulfated chitosan nanoparticles

Although rhBMP-2 has excellent ability to accelerate the repair of normal bone defects, limitations of its application exist in the high cost and potential side effects. This study aimed to develop a composite photopolymerisable hydrogel incorporating rhBMP-2 loaded 2-N, 6-O-sulfated chitosan nanoparticles (PH/rhBMP-2/NPs) as the bone substitute to realize segmental bone defect repair at a low growth factor dose. Firstly rhBMP-2 loaded 2-N, 6-O-sulfated chitosan nanoparticles (rhBMP-2/NPs) were prepared and characterized by DLS and TEM. Composite materials, PH/rhBMP-2/NPs were developed and investigated by SEM-EDS as well as a series of physical characterizations. Using hMSCs as an in vitro cell model, composite photopolymerisable hydrogels incorporating NPs (PH/NPs) showed good cell viability, cell adhesion and time dependent cell ingrowth. In vitro release kinetics of rhBMP-2 showed a significantly lower initial burst release from the composite system compared with the growth factor-loaded particles alone or encapsulated directly within the hydrogel, followed by a slow release over time. The bioactivity of released rhBMP-2 was validated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity as well as a mineralization assay. In in vivo studies, the PH/rhBMP-2/NPs induced ectopic bone formation in the mouse thigh. In addition, we further investigated the in vivo effects of rhBMP-2-loaded scaffolds in a rabbit radius critical defect by three dimensional micro-computed tomographic (μCT) imaging, histological analysis, and biomechanical measurements. Animals implanted with the composite hydrogel containing rhBMP-2-loaded nanoparticles underwent gradual resorption with more pronounced replacement by new bone and induced reunion of the bone marrow cavity at 12 weeks, compared with animals implanted with hydrogel encapsulated growth factors alone. These data provided strong evidence that the composite PH/rhBMP-2/NPs are a promising substitute for bone tissue engineering.     

Synthetic thermoreversible polymers are compatible with osteoinductive activity of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) is currently in clinical studies as part of an implantable device that contains a biomaterial carrier. Implant retention of rhBMP-2 by the biomaterial carrier is important for the osteoinductive activity. To control in situ retention of rhBMP-2, thermoreversible polymers were synthesized and characterized, and their compatibility with rhBMP-2-induced osteoinduction was investigated. The results indicated that polymers with a controlled "solubility <--> insolubility" transition temperature could be prepared from N-isopropylacrylamide, ethylmethacrylate, and N-acryloxysuccinimide (NASI). NASI-containing polymers were able to conjugate to rhBMP-2 without additional cross-linkers. Implantation in the rat ectopic model, where alkaline phosphatase and calcium deposition were utilized as markers of osteoinductive activity, indicated that rhBMP-2 mixed with the polymers were effective for osteoinduction. Moreover, rhBMP-2 conjugated to the chosen polymers was as effective as native rhBMP-2 in inducing ALP activity and calcium deposition. We conclude that thermoreversible polymers are compatible with rhBMP-2-induced osteogenesis and can serve as novel biomaterials for rhBMP-2 delivery.     

Retention and activity of BMP-2 in hyaluronic acid-based scaffolds in vitro.

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) delivered in a suitable implantable matrix has the potential to repair local skeletal defects by inducing new bone formation from undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells resident in host tissue. In this study, we examined in vitro the potential of a derivatized hyaluronic acid (Hyaff-11) scaffold as a delivery vehicle for recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) in bone and cartilage repair therapies. Hyaff-11 scaffolds were fabricated using a phase inversion/particulate leaching method and soak-loaded with rhBMP-2. In vitro release kinetics of rhBMP-2, demonstrated using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay revealed a slow, sustained rhBMP-2 release during 28 days, with a cumulative release of 31.82% of the initial rhBMP-2 loaded. rhBMP-2 was released in bioactive form as demonstrated by ALP induction of pluripotent cell line, C3H10T1/2 (T1/2), down the osteoblast lineage when incubated with the release supernatants. rhBMP-2 retention in Hyaff-11 scaffolds was greater than that from collagen gels, which released most of the initially loaded rhBMP-2 by 14 days. rhBMP-2-loaded Hyaff-11 scaffolds were also seeded with T1/2 cells and evaluated at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days for viability and expression of osteoblast phenotype. Cells remained viable throughout the study and expressed a time- and dose-dependent ALP and osteocalcin expression in the rhBMP-2 groups. Based on these observations, Hyaff-11 scaffolds may be suitable delivery systems for rhBMP-2 in bone/cartilage repair because of their ability to retain rhBMP-2, release low levels of bioactive rhBMP-2 to the local environment in a sustained manner, and stimulate differentiation of pluripotent stem cells.     

Orthotopic bone formation by implantation of apatite-coated poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/hydroxyapatite composite particulates and bone morphogenetic protein-2

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are the most potent osteoinductive growth factors. However, a delivery system is essential to take advantage of the osteoinductive effect of BMPs. In the present study, we tested the suitability of apatite-coated poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)/nanohydroxyapatite (PLGA/HA) particulates as carriers for the controlled release of BMP-2. The release of BMP-2 from apatite-coated PLGA/HA particulates was sustained for at least 4 weeks in vitro. A delivery system of apatite-coated PLGA/HA particulates suspended in fibrin gel further slowed the BMP-2 release rate. In vivo implantation of either Fibrin gel + BMP-2 or Fibrin gel + apatite-coated PLGA/HA particulates showed enhanced new bone formation in critical-sized calvarial defects of rats 8 weeks after implantation, compared to implantation of fibrin gel only. Importantly, new bone formation was much higher in the defects treated with BMP-2 delivery using apatite-coated PLGA/HA particulates in fibrin gel (Fibrin gel + PLGA/HA + BMP-2 group) than in the defects treated either with apatite-coated PLGA/HA particulates in fibrin gel (Fibrin gel + BMP-2 group) or with BMP-2 delivery using fibrin gel alone (Fibrin gel + BMP-2 group). BMP-2 and osteoinductive HA had an additive effect on orthotopic bone formation. In conclusion, the apatite-coated PLGA/HA particulates showed good results as carriers for BMP-2. The BMP-2 delivery system showed high osteogenic capability in a rat calvarial bone defect model. The local and sustained delivery system for BMP-2 developed in this study may be useful as a carrier for BMP-2 and would enhance bone regeneration efficacy for the treatment of large bone defects.