Acceleration of bone formation with BMP2 in frame-reinforced carbonate apatite–collagen sponge scaffolds

The development is expected of scaffold biomaterials that feature a shape-maintaining property in addition to high porosity and large pores that cells can easily invade. To develop a new biodegradable scaffold biomaterial reinforced with a frame, synthesized carbonate apatite (CO₃Ap) was mixed with neutralized collagen gel, and the CO₃Ap–collagen mixtures were lyophilized into sponges in a porous hydroxyapatite (HAp) frame ring. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analyses together with chemical analysis indicated that the synthesized CO₃Ap had a crystalline nature and a chemical composition similar to that of bone. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation showed that the CO₃Ap–collagen sponge had a sui pore size for cell invasion. In proliferation and differentiation experiments with osteoblasts, alkaline phosphatase and osteopontin activity were clearly detected. When these sponge–frame complexes with bone morphogenic protein (rh-BMP2) were implanted beneath the periosteum cranii of rats, significant new bone was created at the surface of the periosteum cranii after 4 weeks of implantation. These reinforced CO₃Ap–collagen sponges with rh-BMP2 are expected to be used as hard tissue scaffold biomaterials for the therapeutic purpose of the rapid cure of bone defects.