[Repair of cranial defects with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells and beta-TCP scaffold in rabbits].
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether culture expanded bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in combination with beta-tricalcium phosphate(beta-TCP) can repair critical cranial defects in New Zealand rabbits.


METHODS
In group A(n = 20), MSCs from homogeneous rabbits were isolated and expanded in vitro and then implanted onto the pre-molded porous beta-TCP. The MSCs-beta-TCP complexes were implanted into rabbit critical cranial defects. In group B (n = 10), The defects were repaired with beta-TCP only. In group C(n = 4), the defects were left un-repaired. Samples were extracted 6 and 12 weeks after operation for histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis.


RESULTS
In group A, bone-like tissue formation could be seen on the surface of the implants. Microscopic analysis demonstrated certain degradation of beta-TCP and extensive new bone filling in rich extracellular matrix after 6 weeks. The cells were stained positively for type I collagen. After 12 weeks, the bioceramics had almost completely degraded and abundant bone formation could be seen in the whole defects. In group B, marginal bone ingrowth was observed after 6 weeks and the number of osteoblasts increased significantly after 12 weeks. However, no new bone formation could be detected in the middle of the material. In group C, only a small quantity of new bone formation was found along the margin of defects.


CONCLUSIONS
Transplantation of MSCs with beta-TCP can serve as an example of a cell-based treatment for bone regeneration in skeletal defects.
Bo
Bin
B
Tissue Engineering Research Center, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China, 100850.
Wang
Chang-yong
CY
Guo
Xi-min
XM
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002516:Ceramics; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014945:Wound Healing
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002130:Calcium Phosphates