[Immunological research of rat osteoblast xenotransplantation].
OBJECTIVE
To detect the immunoreaction after osteoblast xenotransplantation and to investigate the possibility of heterogenic osteocyte transplantation and tissue engineered bone reconstruction.


METHODS
Rat osteoblasts were isolated by two-part bony digestion/elements in culturing, and incubated in vitro at 37 degrees C, 5% carbon dioxide for 5 days until they multiplied and formed a monolayer on the bottom of dish. Twenty-eight rabbits were divided into 3 groups. Autograft of osteoblasts(group A), xenograft of osteoblasts(group B) and normal saline(group C) were implanted into the rectus abdominus muscle. The immunological and histological observations were performed after 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks of transplantation.


RESULTS
Cultured cells reached confluence within 5 days and was identified as osteoblasts by ALP staining and Bon kossa staining. The result of host versus graft reaction was negative. In group B, specific antibody reaction was detected 2 weeks and 4 weeks after transplantation. Cell mediated cytotoxicity was detected after 2 weeks, reached the peak value 4 weeks later, and then began to decline 8 weeks later. HE staining showed mass inflammatory cells and no ectopic ossification after 8 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Heterogenic osteoblast transplantation will lead to an obvious change in host humoral and cellular immunity and lost the ability of bone formation. So, it can not be used for the reliable cell sources for osteocyte transplantation or tissue-engineering bone reconstruction.
Guo
Gang
G
Institute of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an Shaanxi, P.R. China 710032.
Wang
Zhen
Z
Peng
Lei
L
Han
Tian-yu
TY
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000276:immunology*