Osteoinductive ceramics as a synthetic alternative to autologous bone grafting.
Biomaterials can be endowed with biologically instructive properties by changing basic parameters such as elasticity and surface texture. However, translation from in vitro proof of concept to clinical application is largely missing. Porous calcium phosphate ceramics are used to treat small bone defects but in general do not induce stem cell differentiation, which is essential for regenerating large bone defects. Here, we prepared calcium phosphate ceramics with varying physicochemical and structural characteristics. Microporosity correlated to their propensity to stimulate osteogenic differentiation of stem cells in vitro and bone induction in vivo. Implantation in a large bone defect in sheep unequivocally demonstrated that osteoinductive ceramics are equally efficient in bone repair as autologous bone grafts. Our results provide proof of concept for the clinical application of "smart" biomaterials.
Yuan
Huipin
H
Progentix Orthobiology BV, Professor Bronkhorstlaan 10-D, 3723 MB Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Fernandes
Hugo
H
Habibovic
Pamela
P
de Boer
Jan
J
Barradas
Ana M C
AM
de Ruiter
Ad
A
Walsh
William R
WR
van Blitterswijk
Clemens A
CA
de Bruijn
Joost D
JD
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000494:pharmacology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002516:Ceramics; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D012756:Sheep; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; C020243:calcium phosphate