Authors:
Abhijit Roy; Hong Wu; Fatima Syed-Picard; B. J. Costello; Charles Sfeir; Mark Mooney; Prashant N. Kumta
Summary:
The development of effective therapies for bone and craniofacial regeneration is one of the most clinically important goals in the mineralized tissue engineering field. Approximately 6.2 million fractures occur annually in the United States, of which 5–10% fail to heal properly. Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) are used as bone substitutes that offer excellent biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, low temperature setting and easy handling characteristics. Unfortunately, currently used CPCs have very low porosities, low degradation, not amenable for in situ incorporation of biologics limiting their clinical use. The present work describes the synthesis of a novel porous CPC that not only has excellent setting and handling characteristics but also acts as a scaffold and delivery system exhibiting excellent cell and host tissue biocompatibility and rapid bone regeneration. Colloidal nano-hydroxyapatite (NanoCaPs) complexed with BMP-2 solutions was used as the liquid for initiating the cement reaction. X-ray diffraction results demonstrate that the CPC fully converts into calcium deficient nanostructured hydroxyapatite providing mechanical strength. SEM analyses of the cements clearly show the formation of micro- and macro-pores after dissolution of the porogen. MC3T3 cell proliferation results show that the cells grow well in all these cements. Post implant 8 weeks in vivo results on the cement shown below demonstrate formation of new bone on the surface and bulk of the porous scaffold. The current technology thus exhibits the potential to provide a viable solution for various types of craniofacial and orthopaedic problems.
Source:
BioTech 2009, Technologies and Targets for the Treatments of Tomorrow, Poster Number: 16