Objective To investigate the expression levels and significance of vascular endothel ial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel density (MVD) in rabbit radius defects repaired with allogeneic and autogenic bone. Methods Forty adult New Zealand rabbits were chosen, and 10 mm bone defect model was created in the bilateral radii of 28 experimental rabbits. The other 12 rabbits provided allogeneic bone under the standard of American Association of Tissue Bank. In the left side, allogeneic bone were used to repair bone defect (experimental group), equal capacity autogenous il iac bone was used in the right side (control group). Animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively. Immunohistochemical method was used to determine the expression of VEGF, CD34 protein and MVD counting. Bone histomorphometric parameters, including percent trabecular area (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) were measured by von Kossa staining undecalcified sl ices. The relation was analyzed between VEGF and MVD, histomorphometric parameters. Results The positive signals of VEGF protein were detected in cytoplasm of vascular endothel ial cells, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, fibroblasts and osteoclasts. At 2 weeks, there was no significant difference in VEGF protein expression between experimental group and control group (P gt; 0.05); at 4 and 8 weeks, the expression of VEGF in control group was significantly higher than that in experimental group (P lt; 0.05); and at 12 weeks, there was no significant difference between two groups (P gt; 0.05). There was a positive correlation (P lt; 0.01) between VEGF expression and MVD value in two groups at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively. There was no significant difference in bone histomorphometric parameters (BV/TV, Tb.Th, Tb.N, Tb.Sp) between two groups at 12 weeks postoperatively (P gt; 0.05), but there was a positive correlation between VEGF expression and parameters of BV/TV, Tb.Th, and Tb.N (P lt; 0.01); and a negative correlation between VEGF and Tb.Sp (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion VEGF can express diversity at different time and positions, and the different expressions indicated various biology significances in the process of the bone heal ing. It can coordinate growth of cartilage and bone and profit vascular reconstruction of allogeneic bone. VEGF may participate in promoting osteogenesis in the course of allogeneic bone transplantation.
Objective To supply references to tissue-engineered skin cl inical appl ications with autogenic BMSCs composited collagen membrane to repair swine full-thickness cutaneous deficiency. Methods Twenty mL bone marrow were obtained respectively from 4 swine, autogenic BMSCs were cultured and passed to the 3rd passage. The fresh bovine tendontreated by means of chemically cross-l inked was made 5 cm diameter collagen I (Col I) membrane. The 2 × 107/mL P3 swine autogenic BMSCs labeled DAPI were planted to sterile Col I membrane for 24 hours incubation, then the tissue-engineered skin was constructed. The five full-thickness skin defect of 5 cm diameter was excised to the muscle from forward to backward on the back midl ine two sides of swine. The tissue-engineered skin were implanted in the experimental group, while Col I membrane was implanted in control group. After 3 and 8 weeks of implantation, the two swine wound surface heal ing circumstance was observed and further evaluated with histology analysis and TEM. After 3 weeks of implantation, the experimental group were observed with fluorescence microscopy and staining for glycogen. Results After 3 weeks of implantation, the wound surface of control group were observed nigrescence, scab and putrescence, and after 8 weeks of implantation, also evident putrescence and scar. The wound surface of experiment group was al ive after 3 weeks implantation, appearance was leveled off and flexible without evident scar. The wound surface recovered well after 8 weeks of implantation, wound surface heal ing rate was significantly difference between the two groups (P lt; 0.01). After 3 weeks of implantation, control group were observed acestoma hyperplasia and no epidermal coverage by histology analysis. The experimental group was showed integrity epidermis and dermis structure. The basal layer was crimson and continuously positive with glycogen staining. After 8 weeks of implantation, the experimental group and control group were emerged normal skin structure. After 3 weeks of implantation in control group, a lot of neutrophil ic granulocytes and fibroblasts were noticed, but no epidermal structure was observed under TEM. In the experimental group, a lot of epidermal cells were observed, dermatome connection among epidermal cells and hemidermosome connection between basilar membrane cells and basal membrane were observed in epidermis. In the dermis experimental group, blood capillary endothel ial cells were noticed. Furthermore, considerable collagen fiber deposit was found in the surrounding tissue of fibroblasts. After 3 weeks of implantation, BMSCs labeled with DAPI were located reconstructed epidermal basement membrane and dermis by fluorescence microscopy. Conclusion Tissue-engineered skin which is composited with autogenic BMSCs as seed cells and collagen membrane were potential prospects in appl ication of repairing swine full-thickness cutaneous deficiency.