Biomembranes enriched with TGFbeta1 favor bone matrix protein expression by human osteoblasts in vitro

Collagen Membranes Adsorb the Transforming Growth Factor-β Receptor I Kinase-Dependent Activity of Enamel Matrix Derivative

BACKGROUND

Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) and collagen membranes (CMs) are simultaneously applied in regenerative periodontal surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of two CMs and a collagen matrix to adsorb the activity intrinsic to EMD that provokes transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling in oral fibroblasts.

METHODS

Three commercially available collagen products were exposed to EMD or recombinant TGF-β1, followed by vigorous washing. Oral fibroblasts were either seeded directly onto collagen products or were incubated with the respective supernatant. Expression of TGF-β target genes interleukin (IL)-11 and proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) was evaluated by real time polymerase chain reaction. Proteomic analysis was used to study the fraction of EMD proteins binding to collagen.

RESULTS

EMD or TGF-β1 provoked a significant increase of IL-11 and PRG4 expression of oral fibroblasts when seeded onto collagen products and when incubated with the respective supernatant. Gene expression was blocked by the TGF-β receptor I kinase inhibitor SB431542. Amelogenin bound most abundantly to gelatin-coated culture dishes. However, incubation of palatal fibroblasts with recombinant amelogenin did not alter expression of IL-11 and PRG4.

CONCLUSION

These in vitro findings suggest that collagen products adsorb a TGF-β receptor I kinase-dependent activity of EMD and make it available for potential target cells.

Effect of ionic products of dicalcium silicate coating on osteoblast differentiation and collagen production via TGF-β1 pathway

In this work, the medium containing ionic products of dicalcium silicates (Ca(2)SiO(4)) for culturing MG63 cells was prepared by immersing a titanium alloy plate with the plasma sprayed Ca(2)SiO(4) coatings in DMEM solution. The effect of the ionic products on cellular differentiation, collagen production, and local growth factors (prostaglandin E(2) [PGE(2)] and transforming growth factor-β [TGF-β1]) of osteoblast-like MG63 cells were investigated. The normal DMEM was also used to culture MG63 cells as the control group. Differentiation of cell was evaluated by detecting alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and osteocalcin (OC) synthesis as well as their gene expression. Collagen production was analyzed by Sircol assay. The levels of PGE(2) and TGF-β1 in culture medium were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The gene expressions of TGF-β receptors (TGF-β RI and TGF-β RII) were also measured by real-time PCR technology. MG63 cells cultured in DMEM containing ionic products of Ca(2)SiO(4) coating showed enhanced differentiation and increased collagen production. The results obtained from ELISA showed that the levels of PGE(2) and TGF-β1 in experimental group were higher than that in control. The gene expression of TGF-β receptors was upregulated, indicating that more TGF-β1 bonded to their receptors which produce more effects on the osteoblastic activity, leading to enhanced differentiation and synthetic activity of osteoblast. It is concluded that ionic products of Ca(2)SiO(4) coating may enhance cellular differentiation and collagen production by influencing TGF-β1 pathway.

Application of resorbable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) with entangled hyaluronic acid as an autograft extender for posterolateral intertransverse lumbar fusion in rabbits

Facilitating fusion between bony segments in a reliable and reproducible manner using a synthetic bone graft material has a number of benefits for the surgeon as well as the patient. Although autograft remains the gold standard, associated comorbidities continue to drive the development of new biomaterials for use in spinal fusion. The ability of autograft alone and autograft combined with a radiolucent biomaterial composed of resorbable osteoconductive poly(lactide-co-glycolide) with entangled hyaluronic acid to facilitate fusion was examined in a single-level noninstrumented posterolateral intertransverse lumbar fusion model in New Zealand White rabbits. Progressive bone formation was demonstrated radiographically for the extender group (synthetic biomaterial plus autograft) between 3 and 6 months. Computed tomography revealed a new cortical shell in the fusion mass at 3 and 6 months for both study groups. Tensile testing at 6 months demonstrated that the quality of bone formed between the intertransverse space was equivalent for both study groups. Histologic evaluation of the fusion mass revealed new bone on and adjacent to the transverse processes with the synthetic biomaterial group that extended laterally, supporting the osteoconductive nature of the material. Histological evidence of endochondral bone growth in the intertransverse space was observed for the autograft plus synthetic biomaterial group. Bone remodeling, new marrow spaces, and peripheral cortices were observed for each study group at 3 months that matured by 6 months. These findings support the use of a radiolucent biosynthetic material comprising poly(lactide-co-glycolide) with integrated hyaluronic acid as an autograft extender for lumbar intertransverse fusion.

Effect of different growth factors on human osteoblasts activities: a possible application in bone regeneration for tissue engineering

Cultured human primary osteoblasts reproduce the phenotypic differentiation and maturation of cells in vivo. We have investigated the influence of three isoforms of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2 and TGF-beta3), three fibroblast growth factors (FGF-2, FGF-4 and FGF-6) and the active metabolite of Vitamin D [1,25-(OH)(2)D3] on proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization of human osteoblasts during a period of 24 days of culture. TGF-beta isoforms and three FGFs examined have been proved to be inducers of osteoblasts proliferation (higher extent for TGF-beta and FGF-2) and inhibitors of alkaline phosphatase activity and osteoblasts mineralization. Combination of these growth factors with the active form of Vitamin D induced osteodifferentiation. In fact Vitamin D showed an additive effect on alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium content, induced by FGF-2 and TGF-beta in human osteoblast. These results highlight the potential of proliferating cytokines' combination with mineralizing agents for in vitro bone growth induction in bone tissue engineering.

Repetitive exposure to TGF-beta suppresses TGF-beta type I receptor expression by differentiated osteoblasts

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has potent, cell phenotype restricted effects. In bone, it controls multiple activities by osteoblasts through three predominant receptors. Of these, the relative amounts of TGF-beta receptor I (TbetaRI) vary directly with TGF-beta sensitivity. The rat TbetaRI gene promoter includes cis-acting elements for transcription factor Runx2. Here we show conservation and selective partitioning of TbetaRI and retention of TGF-beta activity with osteoblast differentiation, Runx2 binding to the TbetaRI gene promoter on osteoblast chromatin, and decreased promoter activity by Runx2 binding site mutation. Furthermore, in contrast to the stimulatory effects induced by single or limited exposure to TGF-beta, we found that osteoblasts became resistant to TGF-beta after high dose and repetitive treatment. TbetaRI protein, mRNA, and gene promoter activity all decreased after three daily TGF-beta treatments, in parallel with a reduction in Runx2 protein and Runx dependent gene expression. In this way, sustained TGF-beta exposure can limit its own effectiveness by suppressing the expression of its primary signaling receptor. This tightly controlled system may constitute a feedback loop to protect against TGF-beta excess, and impose important limitations that are required for the progression of events during skeletal growth, remodeling and repair.

ElastoPHB membrane systems with immobilized bone marrow stromal cells optimize conditions for regeneration of damaged tissue

The effects of autologous bone marrow stromal cells immobilized on ElastoPHB membranes on reparative processes were studied on a model of rat skeletal muscle injury. Bone marrow stromal cells inhibited substitute (sclerosing) regeneration and activated reparative (reconstructive) regeneration of tissues.

Effects of Transforming Growth Factor β1 on Bonelike Tissue Formation in Three-Dimensional Cell Culture. I. Culture Conditions and Tissue Formation

Bone tissue engineering based on growing bone marrow stromal cells on poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) fiber meshes suffers from limited matrix production and mineralization when the cells are cultured with the standard differentiation supplements (dexamethasone, beta-glycerophosphate, and ascorbic acid). To overcome this problem we included transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), which is described as playing a key role in collagen type I formation, although its effect on mineralization is controversially discussed. The investigations focused on establishing culture conditions for the application of TGF-beta1 in three-dimensional cell culture and on the effects of different doses of TGF-beta1 (1-20 ng/mL) on bonelike extracellular matrix formation. Immunohistochemical staining showed that TGF-beta1 enhanced the formation of procollagen type I, collagen type I, and collagen type V, especially under dynamic culture conditions (orbital shaker). A long-term study confirmed positive effects on the formation of extracellular matrix, which penetrated the scaffold to a depth of 250 to 300 microm. Mineralization, qualified by scanning electron microscopy in combination with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and evaluated by determination of the Ca2+ content per scaffold, was up to 1.7-fold increased by TGF-beta1 compared with the control. In conclusion, the growth factor TGF-beta1 seems to be effective in improving extracellular bonelike matrix formation in vitro.

Biomimetic polymers in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences

This review describes recent developments in the emerging field of biomimetic polymeric biomaterials, which signal to cells via biologically active entities. The described biological effects are, in contrast to many other known interactions, receptor mediated and therefore very specific for certain cell types. As an introduction into this field, first some biological principles are illustrated such as cell attachment, cytokine signaling and endocytosis, which are some of the mechanisms used to control cells with biomimetic polymers. The next topics are then the basic design rules for the creation of biomimetic materials. Here, the major emphasis is on polymers that are assembled in separate building blocks, meaning that the biologically active entity is attached to the polymer in a separate chemical reaction. In that respect, first individual chemical standard reactions that may be used for this step are briefly reviewed. In the following chapter, the emphasis is on polymer types that have been used for the development of several biomimetic materials. There is, thereby, a delineation made between materials that are processed to devices exceeding cellular dimensions and materials predominantly used for the assembly of nanostructures. Finally, we give a few current examples for applications in which biomimetic polymers have been applied to achieve a better biomaterial performance.

IGF-I and TGF-beta 1 incorporated in a poly(d,l-lactide) implant coating maintain their activity over long-term storage—cell culture studies on primary human osteoblast-like cells

Biodegradable coating of osteosynthetic materials with poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) and incorporated growth factors has been used successfully as drug carrier to stimulate fracture healing in several rat and porcine models. A cold coating technique was used to incorporate growth factors without loss of activity during the coating process. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of incorporated insulin like growth factor-I and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1) after long-time storage (5 and 14 months at -20 degrees C). Primary human osteoblast-like cells (HOB) were cultured in a non-contact manner with titanium wires coated with PDLLA and IGF-I (33 microg) and TGF-beta1 (6 microg) for 0, 5, 10 and 15 days. Osteoblast culture without wires, with titanium wires or wires with the PDLLA coating served as control ( n=3 each time point and group). Cell vitality, cell proliferation and the production of procollagen 1 were measured. No differences in cell count and vitality were accessed in the two growth factor treated groups compared to the control groups at the same time point. Independently from the storage duration, the incorporated growth factors significantly stimulated the production of osteoblast specific type I collagen (CICP) compared to the controls. The results indicate, that the growth factors stimulated osteoblast to an enhanced collagen 1 production and that the coating method meets a major requirement for clinical use of growth factor-coated implants: biological activity of the incorporated growth factors for at least 14 months.