title: Bone tissue engineering and spinal fusion: the potential of hybrid constructs by combining osteoprogenitor cells and scaffolds.
abstract: In this paper, we discuss the current knowledge and achievements on bone tissue engineering with regard to spinal fusion and highlight the technique that employs hybrid constructs of porous scaffolds with bone marrow stromal cells. These hybrid constructs potentially function in a way comparable to the present golden standard, the autologous bone graft, which comprises besides many other factors, a construct of an optimal biological scaffold with osteoprogenitor cells. However, little is known about the role of the cells in autologous grafts, and especially survival of these cells is questionable. Therefore, more research will be needed to establish a level of functioning of hybrid constructs to equal the autologous bone graft. Spinal fusion models are relevant because of the increasing demand for graft material related to this procedure. Furthermore, they offer a very challenging environment to further investigate the technique. Anterior and posterolateral animal models of spinal fusion are discussed together with recommendations on design and assessment of outcome parameters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, Netherlands. m.c.kruijt@chir.azu.nl
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Kruyt
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: van Gaalen
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Oner
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Verbout
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: de Bruijn
authors.forename: W J A
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Dhert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000502:physiology*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends
chemical_list: D018786:Bone Substitutes