alpha-Calcitonin gene-related peptide (alpha-CGRP) plays a significant pathophysiological role in bone development, metabolism and remodeling around dental implants. However, the half-life of alpha-CGRP in plasma is only 10 min, which affects its long-time application and an alternative approach should be developed to deliver alpha-CGRP over long periods of time. The aim of this study is to investigate whether a lentiviral alpha-CGRP overexpression vector system can express this target-gene longer at peri-implant sites, thus enhancing osseointegration. Animals were divided to the following groups: alpha-CGRP(-/-), alpha-CGRP(-/-) with lentivirus transfection and alpha-CGRP(+/+) mice. MS Spectrum imaging observations identified the successful transfection of alpha-CGRP around experimental implants inserted in the femurs at 5 days after injection. Histomorphometrical analysis indicated an increase of bone-implant contact (BIC) at 1-month healing in the transfection group. Moreover, real-time RT-PCR and western blot results of bone-related markers Runx2, Osterix, and BSP levels elevated in lentivirus-transfected mice at 21 days, compared to the untreated alpha-CGRP(-/-) mice. There was no significant difference between the transfection group and alpha-CGRP(+/+) group. Further alpha-CGRP protein detection confirmed the persistent expression of this transgene at 21 days post-operatively. These results suggest that this lentiviral vector system expresses alpha-CGRP in an effective, appropriate and sustained manner, which might have a potential application in enhancing titanium implant osseointegration. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Citation： Xiang Lin, Ma Li, Wei Na, Wang Tianlu, Yao Qianqian, Yang Bo, Xiong Yi, Wu Yingying, Gong Ping. Effect of lentiviral vector overexpression alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide on titanium implant osseointegration in alpha-CGRP-deficient mice. West China medical Virtual Journal, 2000, 1(1): 135-140-. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2015.08.009 Copy