Adenoviral-mediated transfer of human BMP-6 gene accelerates healing in a rabbit ulnar osteotomy model.
This study evaluated healing of rabbit bilateral ulnar osteotomies 6 and 8 weeks after surgery in response to percutaneous injection of transgenic adenoviral (Ad) bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6) vector or green fluorescent protein vector control (Ad-GFP) administered 7 days after surgery compared to untreated osteotomy controls. The amount, composition and biomechanical properties of the healing bone repair tissue were compared among groups and to historical data for intact rabbit ulnae obtained from similar studies at the same institution. Quantitative computed tomography was used to determine area, density and mineral content of the mineralized callus in the harvested ulnae. Maximum torque, torsional stiffness, and energy absorbed to failure were determined at 1.5 degrees /s. Calcified sections of excised ulnae (5 microm) were stained with Goldner's Trichrome and Von Kossa, and evaluated for callus composition, maturity, cortical continuity, and osteotomy bridging. Radiographic assessment of bone formation indicated greater mineralized callus in the ulnae injected with Ad-hBMP-6 as early as 1 week after treatment (2 weeks after surgery) compared to untreated osteotomy ulnae (p < 0.006) and Ad-GFP treated osteotomy ulnae (p < 0.002). Quantitative computed tomography confirmed greater bone area and bone mineral content at the osteotomy at 6 weeks in Ad-BMP-6 treated osteotomy as compared to untreated osteotomy ulnae (p < 0.001) and Ad-GFP treated osteotomy ulnae (p < 0.01). Ad-BMP-6 treated osteotomy ulnae were stronger (p < 0.001 and 0.003) and stiffer (p < 0.004 and 0.003) in torsion at 6 weeks than untreated osteotomy ulnae or Ad-GFP treated osteotomy ulnae, respectively. Maximum torque, torsional stiffness, and energy absorbed to failure were greater in Ad-BMP-6 treated osteotomy ulnae compared to their respective untreated contralateral osteotomy ulnae at 8 weeks [p < 0.03]. Maximum torque and torsional stiffness in the Ad-BMP-6 treated osteotomy ulnae were not different to intact ulnae values at 6 and 8 weeks. These experiments confirm that BMP-6 can be potently osteoinductive in vivo resulting in acceleration of bone repair.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, 601 Tharp St., The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA. bertone.1@osu.edu
A L
AL
Bertone
D D
DD
Pittman
M L
ML
Bouxsein
J
J
Li
B
B
Clancy
H J
HJ
Seeherman
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D055418:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014102:Torsion Abnormality; D014457:Ulna / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery
C525816:BMP6 protein, human; C525818:Bmp6 protein, rat; D055418:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins