FGF-2-loaded collagen scaffolds attract cells and blood vessels in rat oral mucosa.
BACKGROUND
Wound contraction and scar formation after cleft palate repair impair the growth of the maxilla. The implantation of a growth factor-loaded scaffold might solve these problems.


METHODS
The tissue response to fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 loaded collagen scaffolds was evaluated after implantation in the palate of rats. Scaffolds, with and without FGF-2, were implanted submucoperiosteally in the palate of 25 rats and evaluated after up to 16 weeks. On hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections, the cell density and the number of giant cells within the scaffolds were quantified. Infiltration of inflammatory cells, myofibroblasts, and the number of blood vessels were quantified after immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
The cell density was significantly higher in the FGF-2 group up to 4 weeks after implantation (102% at 2 weeks, P < 0.001). The number of blood vessels was also significantly higher in the FGF-2 group at 1 and 2 weeks (316% at 1 week, P = 0.003), but the myofibroblast score was lower (100% at 2 weeks, P = 0.008). A comparable mild and rapidly subsiding inflammatory response and foreign body reaction were found in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
FGF-2-loaded scaffolds displayed a faster influx of host cells, an increased rate of vascularization, and a reduced differentiation of myofibroblasts. These scaffolds might therefore be highly suitable for intra-oral reconstructions, such as cleft palate repair.
Jansen
Richard G
RG
Department of Orthodontics and Oral Biology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen 6500 HB, The Netherlands.
van Kuppevelt
Toin H
TH
Daamen
Willeke F
WF
Kuijpers-Jagtman
Anne M
AM
Von den Hoff
Johannes W
JW
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D024042:Collagen Type I; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000502:physiology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000379:methods*; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000502:physiology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010159:Palate / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
D024042:Collagen Type I; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2