【Abstract】 Objective To compare the effect of PLGA and collagen sponge combined with rhBMP-2 on repairing ofarticular cartilage defect in rabbits respectively. Methods PLGA and collagen sponge were made into cyl inders which were 4 mm in diameter and 3 mm in thickness, and compounded with rhBMP-2 (0.5 mg). Defect 4 mm in diameter were made in both of femoral condyles of 24 two-month-old New Zealand white rabbits. The defects in right 18 knees were treated with PLGA/rhBMP-2 composites (experimental group 1), and the left 18 knees were treated with collagen sponge/rhBMP-2 composites (experimental group 2), the other 12 knees were left untreated as control group. At 4, 12 and 24 weeks after operation, the animals were sacrificed and the newly formed tissues were observed macroscopically and microscopically, graded histologically and analyzed statistically. Results From the results of macroscopical and microscopical observation, in the experimental group 1, the defects were filled with smooth and translucent cartilage; while in the experimental group 2, the white translucent tissues did notfill the defects completely; and in the two experimental groups, the new cartilage tissues demarcated from the surrounding cartilage,chondrocytes distributed uniformly but without direction; a l ittle fibrous tissue formed in the control group 4 weeks postoperatively. In the experimental group 1, the defects were filled completely with white, smooth and translucent cartilage tissue without clear l imit with normal cartilage; while in the experimental group 2, white translucent tissues formed, the boundary still could be recognized; in the two experimental groups, the thickness was similar to that of the normal cartilage; the cells paralleled to articular surface in the surface layer, but in the deep layer, the cells distributed confusedly, the staining of matrix was positive but a l ittle weak; subchondral bone and tide mark recovered and the new tissue finely incorporated with normal cartilage;however, in the control group, there was a l ittle of discontinuous fibrous tissue, chondrocytes maldistributed in the border andthe bottom of the defects 12 weeks postoperatively. In the experimental group 1, white translucent cartilage tissues formed, the boundary disappeared; in the experimental group 2, the color and the qual ity of new cartilage were similar to those of 12 weeks; in the two experimental groups, the thickness of the new cartilage, which appeared smooth, was similar to that of the normal cartilage, the chondrocytes arranged uniformly but confusedly; the staining of matrix was positive and subchondral bone and tide mark recovered, the new tissue finely incorporated with normal cartilage; in the control group, a layer of discontinuous fibrous tissue formed in the bottom of the defects 24 weeks postoperatively. Results of histological grade showed that there were significantdifference between experimental group (1 and 2) and control group at any time point (P lt; 0.01); the scores of 12 weeks and 24 weeks in experimental group 1 and 2 had a significant difference compared with that of 4 weeks (P lt; 0.01), there was no significant difference between 12 weeks and 24 weeks (P gt; 0.05), and there were no significant difference between the two experimental groups at the same time point (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Both PLGA and collagen sponge as a carrier compounded with rhBMP-2 can repair articular cartilage defects.
Objective To investigate the effect of dexamethasone, recombinant human fibroblast growth factor (rhFGF) and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) on the proliferation and differentiation of marrow stromal stem cells (MSCs) for their further application in tissue engineering. Methods MSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro, and then exposed to different dose of dexamethasone (10-8 mol/L,10-7 mol/L,10 -6 mol/L), rhFGF (50 ng/ml,200 ng/ml,500 ng/ml) and rhBMP-2 (50 ng/ml,500 ng/ml,1 000 ng/ml) respectively. The total protein and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of each group was measured on 4th and 7th day. Results Exposure of MSCs with 10-6mol/L dexamethasone inhibited protein synthesis without obvious effects on ALP expression. The application of rhFGF significantly promoted cell proliferation but inhibited ALP activity. In comparison, ALP expression was significantly enhanced by treatment of rhBMP-2 at concentration of 500 ng/ml，1 000 ng/ml. Conclusion The exposure of dexamethasone as well as rhBMP-2 to MSCs with an appropriate concentration promotes osteogenic expression without reverse effects on cell proliferation, which indicates the great potential value in cell-based strategy of bone tissue engineering.
Objective To investigate the influenceof insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on biological characteristics of articular chondrocytes cultured in vitro of rabbits. Methods Monolayer articular chondrocytes of 4week old rabbits were cultured in medium with IGF-I, at the concentrations of 3, 10, 30, 100, and300ng/ml. The DNA content in cells and glucuronic acid content in matrix were detected on the 2nd, 4th, 6th days after culture. Results The DNA content in cells and the glucuronic acid content in matrix in articular chondrocytes cultured in medium with IGF-I at concentrations of 3-300ng/ml were all significantly higher than those in control group (P＜0.01), which reached the peak at the concentrations of 30-100mg/ml on the 4th day. Conclusion IGF-I could obviously promote theproliferation of articular chondrocytes in vitro, and there exist time-dependent and dose-dependent effect.
Objective To provide the seed cells for bone tissue engineering, to establ ish immortal ized human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCxj) and to investigate the ectopic osteogenesis of MSCxj. Methods MSCxjs of the 35thand 128th generations were maintained and harvested when the cell density reached 2 109. Then, these cells were co-cultured with heterogeneous bone scaffold in groups A (the 35th generation, n=12) and group B (the 128th generation, n=12); heterogeneous bone alone was used in group C (n=12). The cell prol iferation was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after 48 hours and 18 days of osteogenic induction culture. The complex was implanted subcutaneouly through a 3-mm-incision at both sides of the back in 18 nude mice. Tetracycl ine label ing was performed before the animals were sacrificed. Tetracycl ine fluorescence staining, HE staining, ponceau staining, and immunohistochemistry staining for osteocalcin were performed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after transplantation; the morphologic quantitative analysis was made. Results After 48 hours, SEM showed that MSCxjs adhered to heterogeneous bone and grew well; after 18 days, a large number of new filamentous extracellular matrix and small granules were found to cover the cells. The results of tetracycl ine fluorescence staining, HE staining, and ponceau staining in groups A and B showed that the osteogenesis was not obvious at 4 weeks after transplantation; osteoid matrix deposition was noted around and in theheterogeneous bone at 8 weeks; and osteogenesis was increased at 12 weeks. There was no significant difference in bone formation between groups A and B. Osteogenesis was not observed in group C. The osteocalcin expressions were positive in groups A and B. The bone ingrow percentages of groups A and B were 5.64% ± 2.68% and 4.92% ± 2.95% at 8 weeks, and 13.94% ± 2.21% and 14.34% ± 3.46% at 12 weeks, showing significant differences between 8 weeks and 12 weeks at the same group (P lt; 0.05) and no significant difference between groups A and B at the same time (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion MSCxj has favorable abil ities of ectopic osteogenesis and can be appl ied as seeded cells in bone tissue engineering.
【Abstract】 Objective To produce a new bone tissue engineered carrier through combination of xenograft bone (X)and sodium alginate (A) and to investigate the biological character of the cells in the carrier and the abil ity of bone-forming in vivo, so as to provide experimental evidence for a more effective carrier. Methods BMSCs were extracted from 2-week-old New Zealand rabbits and the BMSCs were induced by rhBMP-2 (1 × 10-8mol/L). The second generation of the induced BMSCs was combined with 1% (V/W) A by final concentration of 1 × 105/mL. After 4-day culture, cells in gel were investigated by HE staining. The second generation of the induced BMSCs was divided into the DMEM gel group and the DMEM containing 1% A group. They were seeded into 48 well-cultivated cell clusters by final concentration of 1 × 105/mL. Seven days later, the BMP-2 expressions of BMSCs in A and in commonly-cultivated cells were compared. The second generation of the induced BMSCs was mixed with 2% A DMEM at a final concentration of 1 × 1010/mL. Then it was compounded with the no antigen X under negativepressure. After 4 days, cells growth was observed under SEM. Twenty-four nude mice were randomly divided into 2 group s (n=12).The compound of BMSCs-A-X (experimental group) and BMSCs-X (control group) with BMSCs whose final concentrat ion was 1 × 1010/mL was implanted in muscles of nude mice. Bone formation of the compound was histologically evaluated by Image Analysis System 2 and 4 weeks after the operation, respectively. Results Cells suspended in A and grew plump. Cell division and nuclear fission were found. Under the microscope, normal prol iferation, many forming processes, larger nucleus, clear nucleolus and more nuclear fission could be seen. BMP-2 expression in the DMEM gel group was 44.10% ± 3.02% and in the DMEM containing 1% A group was 42.40% ± 4.83%. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P gt; 0.05). A was compounded evenly in the micropore of X and cells suspended in A 3-dimensionally with matrix secretion. At 2 weeks after the implantation, according to Image Analysis System, the compound of BMSCs-A-X was 5.26% ± 0.24% of the totalarea and the cartilage-l ike tissue was 7.31% ± 0.32% in the experimental group; the compound of BMSCs-X was 2.16% ± 0.22% of the total area and the cartilage-l ike tissue was 2.31% ± 0.21% in the control group. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups (P lt; 0.05). At 4 weeks after the operation, the compound of BMSCs-A-X was 7.26% ± 0.26% of the total area and the cartilage-l ike tissue was 9.31% ± 0.31% in the experimental group; the compound of BMSCs-X was 2.26% ± 0.28% of the total area and the cartilage-l ike tissue was 3.31% ± 0.26% in the control group. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The new carrier compounding A and no antigen X conforms to the superstructural principle of tissue engineering, with maximum cells load. BMSCs behave well in the compound carrier with efficient bone formation in vivo.