Osteogenic protein‐1, a bone morphogenetic protein,induces angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane and synergizes with basic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor‐β1

Capillary invasion is a vital regulatory signal during bone morphogenesis that is influenced by angiogenic molecules such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and some members of the transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) superfamily, including TGF‐βs themselves. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), which are members of the TGF‐β superfamily, have previously not been shown to possess direct angiogenic properties. Osteogenic protein‐1 (OP‐1; BMP‐7) is a potent regulator of cartilage and bone differentiation in vivo. The osteogenic and angiogenic properties of OP‐1 at both ortho‐ and heterotopic sites in adult chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) are enhanced synergistically by the simultaneous application of relatively low doses of TGF‐β1. The single application of relatively high doses of TGF‐β1 (20 ng), and bFGF (500 ng) or relatively low (100 ng) and high (1,000 ng) doses of OP‐1 in the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay elicited a prominent and (for OP‐1) dose‐dependent angiogenic response. The binary application of a relatively low dose of OP‐1 (100 ng) with a relatively low dose of bFGF (100 ng) or with a relatively low (5 ng) or high (20 ng) dose of TGF‐β1 resulted in a synergistic enhancement of the angiogenic response. The angiogenic effect of the relatively low doses of the combined morphogens was distinctly more pronounced than that of the single application of the relatively high doses of the respective factors. The present findings suggest that these morphogens may be deployed in binary combination in order to accentuate experimental angiogenesis. The cooperative interaction of the different morphogens in the CAM assay may provide important biological clues towards the control of clinical angiogenesis. Anat Rec 259:97‐107, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Immunohistochemical detection of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and transforming growth factor beta-1 in tracheopathia osteochondroplastica

 Tracheopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is an unusual condition characterized by cartilaginous or bony submucosal nodules in the tracheobronchial tree. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) are potent inducers for new bone formation. We studied the precise localization of BMP-2 and TGF-β1 in two autopsied cases of TO, using immunohistochemical methods. Positive BMP-2 immunoreactivity was detected in numerous mesenchymal cells and chondroblasts lining the nodules in the tracheal submucosa. BMP-2 was not found in mature lamellar bony nodules. TGF-β1 was not seen in mesenchymal cells, though it did appear in chondrocytes and osteocytes in the nodules. These results suggest that BMP-2 plays an important role in nodule formation and acts synergistically with TGF-β1 to promote the nodules inductive cascade in the tracheal submucosa. Received: 9 December 1996/Accepted: 10 April 1997     

重组人骨形态发生蛋白2与碱性成纤维细胞生长因子联合促进兔骨髓基质细胞血管内皮细胞生长因子表达及其成骨潜能

背景：了解在体外或体内环境下,应用重组人骨形态发生蛋白2和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子,能否达到既加强成骨又促进血管内皮细胞生长因子表达的双重作用。 目的：观察兔骨髓基质细胞经重组人骨形态发生蛋白2与碱性成纤维细胞生长因子刺激后,其血管内皮细胞生长因子表达及成骨潜能的变化。 方法：取兔双侧股骨骨髓基质细胞,采用骨髓基质细胞体外培养技术,单独或联合以重组人骨形态发生蛋白2、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子刺激细胞。细胞培养5 d后,进行细胞形态、增殖情况、碱性磷酸酶活性、成骨结节、血管内皮细胞生长因子阳性细胞率等项目的检测。 结果与结论：联合先后应用重组人骨形态发生蛋白2、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子在细胞计数、碱性磷酸酶活性、矿化面积百分率、血管内皮细胞生长因子阳性细胞率4个检测项目上优于同时应用重组人骨形态发生蛋白2或碱性成纤维细胞生长因子以及单独应用重组人骨形态发生蛋白2或碱性成纤维细胞生长因子。结果表明合理的联合使用重组人骨形态发生蛋白2和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子,不仅可促进骨髓基质细胞的快速增殖及向成骨细胞转化,还可促进促血管内皮细胞增生的重要介质血管内皮细胞生长因子的表达。     

骨形态发生蛋白与碱性成纤维细胞生长因子联合修复软骨缺损的效果评价*

背景：多种细胞生长因子在骨软骨代谢过程中的协同作用越来越受到重视,但目前复合细胞生长因子修复软骨缺损报道较少,且修复效果尚无定论。 目的：探讨骨形态发生蛋白和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子联合应用修复关节软骨缺损的效果。 方法：24只日本大耳白兔建立骨软骨缺损模型后随机等分为4组,对照组缺损处仅填塞明胶海绵,其他3组在对照组基础上,缺损处分别注射骨形态发生蛋白和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子、骨形态发生蛋白、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子。 结果与结论：大体观察显示联合应用2种细胞因子后,软骨缺损面基本修复但稍不平整,单独使用其中1种细胞因子缺损面未完全修复,对照组无明显修复。联合应用2种细胞因子缺损部位软骨细胞数多于其他3组(P < 0.05),且Ⅱ型胶原免疫组化染色深于其他组。提示联合应用骨形态发生蛋白和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子可以促进关节软骨损伤的修复,疗效优于单独应用骨形态发生蛋白或碱性成纤维细胞生长因子。 关键词：骨形态发生蛋白;碱性成纤维细胞生长因子;修复;软骨缺损;细胞因子 doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2012.11.003     

The role of transforming growth factor-beta and bone morphogenetic protein with fibrin glue in healing of bone-tendon junction injury

Bone-tendon junction injuries have poor healing potential. This study evaluated the role of TGF-beta and BMP-2 in a fibrin glue carrier in healing of injuries at bone-tendon junction. Seventy-two skeletally mature male rabbits were divided into 4 groups. The tendo-Achilles was surgically transected at its insertion and reattached with a pullout suture. Group 1 served as a control. In groups 2, 3, and 4, fibrin glue, a mixture of TGF-beta and fibrin glue, and a mixture of BMP-2 and fibrin glue were injected into the bone-tendon junction. The animals were sacrificed at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after surgical procedure. The addition of TGF-beta to fibrin glue did not significantly improve the biomechanical properties of repair tissue. BMP-2 in combination with fibrin glue accelerates healing in a bone-tendon injury and also improves the histological and biomechanical properties of the repair tissue so formed.     

Apoptosis in membranous bone formation: role of fibroblast growth factor and bone morphogenetic protein signaling

Membranous ossification occurs by the condensation of mesenchymal cells followed by their progressive differentiation into osteoblasts that form a mineralized matrix in ossification centers. The balance between proliferating and differentiated osteogenic cells at the suture areas between calvarial bones is essential for the control of suture maintenance and membranous bone formation. The mechanisms of regulation of na apoptosis in suture areas begin to be understood. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) are important regulators of mesenchymal, preosteoblast, and osteoblast apoptosis in suture areas. Perturbations in FGF or BMP signaling lead to alter the number of apoptotic osteogenic cells, resulting in premature or delayed suture closure. Recent data indicate that FGF signaling downregulates preosteoblast apoptosis, thereby preventing premature fusion of adjacent mineralizing extremities. In contrast, continuous FGF signaling or constitutive FGF receptor activation, as well as BMP signaling, upregulate osteoblast apoptosis. Additionally, multiple signaling mechanisms, including PI3K and PKC, appear to be involved in the control of calvarial osteoblast apoptosis by FGF and BMP. These mechanisms allow a fine control of the number of functional bone-forming cells and, thereby, the normal progression of membranous bone formation.     

Intramyocardial injection of low-dose basic fibroblast growth factor or vascular endothelial growth factor induces angiogenesis in the infarcted rabbit myocardium.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial angiogenesis after the systemic administration of basic fibroblast growth factor or vascular endothelial growth factor at high therapeutic doses has been implicated in the occurrence of side effects that may undermine their safety. The aim of this study was to investigate the angiogenic effects of the intramyocardial administration of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor or vascular endothelial growth factor protein, at low doses, in the infarcted rabbit myocardium. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-five New Zealand White rabbits were divided into five groups (n=5) and subjected to coronary artery ligation after lateral thoracotomy, inducing acute myocardial infarction. Five minutes later, the following substances were injected intramyocardially into the infarcted area: (a) normal saline (controls); (b) 6.25 or 12.5 mug of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor protein (basic fibroblast growth factor-1 group or basic fibroblast growth factor-2 group); or (c) 5 or 10 microg of recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor 165 protein (vascular endothelial growth factor-1 group or vascular endothelial growth factor-2 group). On the 21st postoperative day, the animals were euthanized, and their hearts were subjected to histopathological examination and immunohistochemical assessment of vascular density in the infarcted area. The alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase procedure and the primary monoclonal antibody JC70 were used. Histopathological examination confirmed the induction of myocardial infarction. Vascular density was significantly increased (P<.004) in all treatment groups (in mean+/-S.E. vessels/x 200 optical field: basic fibroblast growth factor-1: 85.8+/-10.9; basic fibroblast growth factor-2: 76.6+/-3.7; vascular endothelial growth factor-1: 73.4+/-3.2; vascular endothelial growth factor-2: 89.5+/-5.2) compared to that in controls (58.9+/-4.9 vessels/x 200 optical field). Vascular density in the vascular endothelial growth factor-2 group was significantly higher than that in the vascular endothelial growth factor-1 group (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Low doses of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor or vascular endothelial growth factor protein, when administered intramyocardially, stimulate angiogenesis in the infarcted myocardium.     

Platelet-derived growth factor (BB homodimer), transforming growth factor-beta 1, and basic fibroblast growth factor in dermal wound healing. Neovessel and matrix formation and cessation of repair.

Recombinant platelet-derived growth factor (BB homodimer, rPDGF-BB), transforming growth factor beta 1 (rTGF-beta 1), and basic fibroblast growth factor (rbFGF) can accelerate healing of soft tissues. However, little information is available characterizing the components of wound matrix induced by these growth factors and the molecular mechanisms underlying accelerated repair and wound maturation. In this study, the composition, quantity, and rate of extracellular matrix deposition within growth factor-treated lapine ear excisional wounds were analyzed at different stages of healing using specific histochemical and immunohistochemical stains, coupled with image analysis techniques. Single application of optimal concentrations of each growth factor accelerated normal healing by 30% (P less than 0.0003); rPDGF-BB markedly augmented early glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and fibronectin deposition, but induced significantly greater levels of collagen later in the repair process, compared with untreated wounds rTGF-beta 1 treatment led to rapidly enhanced collagen synthesis and maturation, without increased GAG deposition. In contrast, rbFGF treatment induced a predominantly angiogenic response in wounds, with a marked increase in endothelia and neovessels (P less than 0.0001), and increased wound collagenolytic activity (P less than 0.03). rbFGF-treated wounds did not evolve into collagen-containing scars and continued to accumulate only provisional matrix well past wound closure. These results provide new evidence that growth factors influence wound repair via different mechanisms: 1) rPDGF-BB accelerates deposition of provisional wound matrix; 2) rTGF-beta 1 accelerates deposition and maturation of collagen; and 3) rbFGF induces a profound monocellular angiogenic response which may lead to a marked delay in wound maturation, and the possible loss of the normal signal(s) required to stop repair. These results suggest that specific growth factors may selectively regulate components of the repair response by differing mechanisms, offering the potential for targeted therapeutic intervention.     

转化生长因子β3和骨形态发生蛋白2基因共转染骨髓干细胞

背景：骨形态发生蛋白2及转化生长因子β是骨再生中重要的因子,提高其表达可促进骨髓间充质干细胞的成骨分化。 目的：构建携带转化生长因子β3和骨形态发生蛋白2基因的慢病毒载体,观察其在骨髓间充质干细胞中的表达情况。 方法：应用重组慢病毒技术构建同时携带转化生长因子β3、骨形态发生蛋白2和绿色荧光蛋白基因的重组慢病毒表达载体,并用其转染体外培养的第3代兔骨髓间充质干细胞,以转染携带转化生长因子β3或骨形态发生蛋白2单一基因的慢病毒或单独慢病毒的骨髓间充质干细胞作为对照。转染后1周分别提取各组细胞的总RNA和蛋白进行检测。 结果与结论：荧光显微镜下见转染转化生长因子β3和(或)骨形态发生蛋白2基因3 d的骨髓间充质干细胞发绿色荧光,转染效率达90%以上。RT-PCR和Western blot结果显示,转染转化生长因子β3和骨形态发生蛋白2基因的骨髓间充质干细胞转化生长因子β3和骨形态发生蛋白2 mRNA和蛋白的表达均高于单一基因转染组及空白对照组。可见应用慢病毒可成功将转化生长因子β3和骨形态发生蛋白2基因转染至骨髓间充质干细胞并实现其高效表达,且两种基因具有协同促表达作用。     

Transforming growth factor-beta1 induces transforming growth factor-beta1 and transforming growth factor-beta receptor messenger RNAs and reduces complement C1qB messenger RNA in rat brain microglia

Transforming growth factor-beta1 is a multifunctional peptide with increased expression during Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions which involve inflammatory mechanisms. We examined the autoregulation of transforming growth factor-beta1 and transforming growth factor-beta receptors and the effects of transforming growth factor-beta1 on complement C1q in brains of adult Fischer 344 male rats and in primary glial cultures. Perforant path transection by entorhinal cortex lesioning was used as a model for the hippocampal deafferentation of Alzheimer's disease. In the hippocampus ipsilateral to the lesion, transforming growth factor-beta1 peptide was increased >100-fold; the messenger RNAs encoding transforming growth factor-beta1, transforming growth factor-beta type I and type II receptors were also increased, but to a smaller degree. In this acute lesion paradigm, microglia are the main cell type containing transforming growth factor-beta1, transforming growth factor-beta type I and II receptor messenger RNAs, shown by immunocytochemistry in combination with in situ hybridization. Autoregulation of the transforming growth factor-beta1 system was examined by intraventricular infusion of transforming growth factor-beta1 peptide, which increased hippocampal transforming growth factor-beta1 messenger RNA levels in a dose-dependent fashion. Similarly, transforming growth factor-beta1 increased levels of transforming growth factor-beta1 messenger RNA and transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor messenger RNA (IC(50), 5pM) and increased release of transforming growth factor-beta1 peptide from primary microglia cultures. Interactions of transforming growth factor-beta1 with complement system gene expression are also indicated, because transforming growth factor-beta1 decreased C1qB messenger RNA in the cortex and hippocampus, after intraventricular infusion, and in cultured glia. These indications of autocrine regulation of transforming growth factor-beta1 in the rodent brain support a major role of microglia in neural activities of transforming growth factor-beta1 and give a new link between transforming growth factor-beta1 and the complement system. The auto-induction of the transforming growth factor-beta1 system has implications for transgenic mice that overexpress transforming growth factor-beta1 in brain cells and for its potential role in amyloidogenesis.     

碱性成纤维细胞生长因子与卵巢癌的关系

目的　探讨碱性成纤维细胞生长因子 (basic fibroblast growth factor,b FGF)对卵巢癌细胞增殖、浸润和肿瘤血管生成的影响 ,及 b FGF单克隆抗体 (b FGF monoclonal antibody,b FGF- MAb)的治疗作用。　方法　将人卵巢癌细胞株 SKOV3接种于 2 4孔板 ,加入不同浓度的 b FGF,每日行结晶紫染色后测定光密度 (D4 90 )值 ,绘制细胞生长曲线 ;将 SKOV3细胞团接种于铺设有细胞外基质凝胶的 4孔板 ,每日测定癌细胞在凝胶中的浸润距离 ;建立 SKOV3细胞裸鼠皮下移植瘤模型 ,每周两次分别将 b FGF、b FGF-MAb和生理盐水注射于移植瘤周围 ,8周后测量肿瘤体积 ;对移植瘤组织切片行 因子的免疫组化染色、测定肿瘤内微血管密度 (microvessel density,MVD)。　结果　 b FGF能促进 SKOV3细胞增殖并呈浓度依赖 ,实验第 5天 ,5 ng/ml、10 ng/ml组细胞 D4 90 值是对照组的 1.0 9倍和 1.2 1倍 ;b FGF能促进 SKOV3细胞浸润并呈浓度依赖 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,第 7天 ,5 ng/ml、10 ng/ml组细胞浸润距离分别是对照组的 1.5 3倍和2 .4 5倍 ;b FGF组移植瘤体积和 MVD分别是对照组的 1.80倍和 1.4 6倍 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,b FGF- MAb组移植瘤体积和 MVD分别是对照组的 6 3.7%和 6 2 .8% (P<0 .0 5 )。　结论　b FGF能明显促进卵巢癌细胞的增殖、     

An immunohistochemical study of basic fibroblast growth factor in the developing chick

An antiserum against basic fibrobrast growth factor (bFGF) was characterized by immunoblot experiments and used to investigate immunohistochemically the appearance of bFGF-like immunoreactivity in the developing chick. Crude homogenates of chick embryos at every developmental stage, when subjected to immunoblotting with the use of bFGF antiserum, exhibited a main band with the same molecular weight (18 kDa) as bovine bFGF. With immunohistochemistry, bFGF immunoreactivity (bFGF-IR) was detected exclusively in intracellular components of various tissues at different stages of development; bFGF-IR appeared initially on embryonic (incubation) day 3 (E3) in the myotome, on E12 in the spinal cord and ganglia, on E8 in chondrocytes and osteoblasts of the vertebrae, and on E10 in the esophageal epithelium. Immunoreaction products were present either in the cytoplasm or in the nuclei, depending on the types of individual bFGF-containing cells; developing chondrocytes and cells in the stratum basale of the esophagus exhibited intense immunoreactions exclusively within the nuclei, and the other cells mainly within the cytoplasm. Moreover, bFGF-IR was observed in discrete regions of these tissues at different stages; the epithelium of the esophagus containd bFGF-IR in all layers on E10 to E18 with a superficial-to-basal gradient, but it began to exhibit bFGF-IR only in the stratum basale after E20; and bFGF-IR was more abundant in hypertrophic chondrocytes than in proliferating ones. As chicks aged, bFGF-IR decreased or disappeared in the muscles, vertebrae and esophageal epithelium, but neuronal bFGF increased in intensity until the perinatal period and thereafter remained unchanged. These findings suggest that bFGF not only plays a pivotal role in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation in developing chick tissues, but also acts as a non-mitogenic mediator in nervous tissue.     

Osteogenic response of bone marrow stromal cells from normal and ovariectomized rats treated with a low dose of basic fibroblast growth factor

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent mitogen that exhibits stimulatory effects on bone tissue regeneration. To gain further insight into the potential of bFGF for systemic therapy in osteoporosis, we investigated the responsiveness of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) explanted from 7-month-old normal and ovariectomized (OVX) rats that were intravenously treated with a low dose of bFGF (25 microg/kg) for 2 weeks. The BMSCs were obtained using femoral aspiration and maintained in an osteogenic medium. The amount of cells recovered from bFGF-treated rats was lower than that from saline-treated rats, and proliferation of the cells was markedly less for the bFGF-treated rats. The BMSCs from the bFGF-treated rats also showed lower levels of specific alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity (ALP/deoxyribonucleic acid) and mineralization. Expression of the extracellular matrix proteins critical for mineralization, in particular osteopontin, was greater for bFGF-treated cells from both types of animals in the first week of culture, after which the expression of all markers significantly declined. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry analyses of the tibiae showed an increase in bone mineral density after bFGF treatment only for OVX rats. We conclude that osteoprogenitor cells were depleted from the marrow of bFGF-treated rats, most likely because of the stimulatory effect of bFGF on bone formation.     

Nerve growth factor (NGF) promotes angiogenesis in the quail chorioallantoic membrane.

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is tightly regulated by growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF). The authors hypothesize that nerve growth factor (NGF), a well known neurotrophin, may play a direct angiogenic role. To test this hypothesis, the authors measured the effects of NGF on the natural vascularization of the quail chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). The angiogenic effect of NGF was compared to that of human recombinant VEGF165 (rhVEGF) and basic FGF (rhbFGF). In comparison to phosphate-buffered saline-treated controls, NGFs from different biological sources (mouse, viper, and cobra) increased the rate of angiogenesis in a dose-dependent fashion from 0.5 to 5 microg. For quantitative morphometry, grayscale images of the blood vessels end points of the CAM arteries were binarized for visualization and skeletonized for quantization by fractal analysis. In mouse NGF-treated embryos the fractal dimension (Df), indicative of arterial vessel length and density, increased to 1.266 +/- 0.021 compared to 1.131 +/- 0.018 (p < .001) for control embryos. This effect was similar to that of 0.5 microg rhVEGF (1.290 +/- 0.021, p < .001) and 1.5 microg rhbFGF (1.264 +/- 0.028, p < .001). The mouse NGF-induced angiogenic effect was blocked by 1 microM K252a (1.149 +/- 0.018, p < .001), an antagonist of the NGF/trkA receptor, but not by 1 microM SU-5416 (1.263 +/- 0.029, p < .001), the VEGF/Flk1 receptor antagonist, indicating a direct, selective angiogenic effect of NGF via quail embryo trkA receptor activation. These results confirm previous observations that NGF has angiogenic activity and suggest that this neurotrophin may also play an important role in the cardiovascular system, besides its well-known effects in the nervous system. The angiogenic properties of NGF may be beneficial in engineering new blood vessels and for developing novel antiangiogenesis therapies for cancer.     

Distinct association of genetic variations of vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta, and fibroblast growth factor receptors with atopy and airway hyperresponsiveness

Background:  Recent studies showed that high levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in the airways reduced airway responsiveness, which was reversed in conditions of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) deficiency, whereas high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) enhanced airway sensitization to allergens and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR).
Objective:  We investigated the effect of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the VEGF, TGF-β1, and FGF2 receptors on the expression of atopy and AHR in the general population.
Methods:  Atopy and AHR were evaluated in a cohort of 2055 children and adolescents. Direct sequencing was used to identify informative SNPs (minor allele frequency >5%) in the receptors of candidate genes. Tagging SNPs were scored using the high-throughput single-base pair extension method, and the statistical significance of these scores was assessed via haplotype analysis.
Results:  Informative SNPs were identified for VEGF receptors 1 ( Flt-1 ); TGF-β receptor 3 ( TGFBR3 ); and FGR receptors 1, 2, and 4 ( FGFR1 , FGFR2 , and FGFR4 ), and 13 tagging SNPs were scored in the cohort. Atopy was significantly associated with haplotypes of TGFBR3 , FGFR1 , and FGFR2 . Meanwhile, AHR was significantly associated with haplotypes of Flt-1 , FGFR1 , and FGFR4 . However, atopy was not associated with genetic variations of Flt-1 and FGFR4 , whereas AHR not associated with TGFBR3 and FGFR2 .
Conclusion:  The expression of atopy and AHR is distinctly associated with genetic variations in VEGF, TGF-β1, and FGFR in the Korean population.     

Delivery of basic fibroblast growth factor with a pH-responsive, injectable hydrogel to improve angiogenesis in infarcted myocardium

A pH- and temperature-responsive, injectable hydrogel has been designed to take advantage of the acidic microenvironment of ischemic myocardium. This system can improve therapeutic angiogenesis methods by providing spatio-temporal control of angiogenic growth factor delivery. The pH- and temperature-responsive random copolymer, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-propylacrylic acid-co-butyl acrylate) (p[NIPAAm-co-PAA-co-BA]), was synthesized by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. This polymer was a liquid at pH 7.4 and 37?°C but formed a physical gel at pH 6.8 and 37?°C. Retention of biotinylated basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) between 0 and 7 days after injection into infarcted rat myocardium was 10-fold higher with hydrogel delivery versus saline. Following 28 days of treatment in vivo, capillary and arteriolar densities were increased 30-40% by polymer?+?bFGF treatment versus saline?+?bFGF or polymer-only controls. Treatment with polymer?+?bFGF for 28 days resulted in a 2-fold improvement in relative blood flow to the infarct region versus day 0, whereas saline?+?bFGF or polymer-only had no effect. Fractional shortening determined by echocardiography was significantly higher following treatment with polymer?+?bFGF (30?±?1.4%) versus saline (25?±?1.2%) and polymer alone (25?±?1.8%). By responding to local changes in pH- and temperature in an animal model of ischemia, this hydrogel system provided sustained, local delivery of bFGF, improved angiogenesis, and achieved therapeutic effects in regional blood flow and cardiac function.     

Bone marrow cells from normal and ovariectomized rats respond differently to basic fibroblast growth factor and bone morphogenetic protein 2 treatment in vitro

The protein growth factors basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) are being actively pursued for bone tissue engineering. Although both proteins are capable of stimulating osteogenic activity of bone marrow cells (BMCs), no studies have addressed the effect of estrogen deficiency on the growth factor responsiveness of BMCs. This study investigated the osteogenic response of BMCs from normal and ovariectomized (OVX) rats to bFGF and BMP- 2. In the absence of growth factors, a higher number of total colony-forming units (t-CFU) and alkaline phosphatase-expressing CFU (ALP-CFU) were obtained with BMCs derived from OVX rats. The percentage of ALP-CFU, however, was not significantly different between BMCs from the two groups of rats. Whereas BMP-2 did not influence the t-CFU and percentage of ALP-CFU, bFGF decreased t-CFU in BMCs derived from OVX rats and reduced the percentage of ALP-CFU in BMCs from both types of rats. Consistent with the higher t-CFU, the number of mineralized colonies (min-CFU) was also higher for BMCs derived from OVX rats. The number of min-CFU was not influenced by BMP-2 treatment, but was reduced with bFGF treatment. Comparison of the growth factor effects on a per-cell (DNA) basis confirmed the expected stimulatory effect of BMP-2 on ALP activity and mineralization in BMCs from normal rats, but these two parameters were not unequivocally stimulated in BMCs from OVX rats. We conclude that BMCs derived from normal and OVX rats exhibited significant differences in their osteogenic response to bFGF and BMP-2 treatment.     

转化生长因子β和骨形成蛋白2联合诱导小鼠成骨细胞系MC3T3-E1细胞的增殖与分化

背景:生长因子是骨组织形成、改建、修复的关键要素之一,多种生长因子联合诱导骨干细胞成骨分化相较于单一生长因子具有一定的优势,但是何种类型的联合、什么样的浓度组合才能发挥最佳的诱导作用?目前该方向研究较少.目的:探索转化生长因子β和骨形成蛋白2联合诱导对小鼠MC3T3-E1细胞增殖和分化的影响.方法:将不同质量浓度的转化...