title: Prevascularisation with endothelial progenitor cells improved restoration of the architectural and functional properties of newly formed bone for bone reconstruction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine whether the addition of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contributes to restoring the architectural and functional properties of newly formed bone for reconstruction of bone defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bone marrow-derived EPCs and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were co-seeded onto demineralized bone matrix (DBM) as a prevascularized tissue-engineered bone (TEB) for the repair of segmental bone defects to evaluate the effects of prevascularization of TEB on ameliorating morphological, haemodynamic and mechanical characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The restoration of the intraosseous vasculature and medullary cavity was improved markedly compared to the non-prevascularized groups. The blood supply, biomechanical strength, and bone mineral density of the prevascularized group were significantly higher than those of the non-prevascularized groups during bone reconstruction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study indicates that EPC-dependent prevascularization contributes to bone healing with structural reconstruction and functional recovery and may improve the understanding of correlation between angiogenesis and osteogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Southwest Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: Xue-Hui
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Sheng-Long
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Ze-Hua
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Tian-Yong
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Zhi-Qiang
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zheng-Qi
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Jian-Zhong
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D001857:Bone Matrix / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology*; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D023421:Models, Animal; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits; D011884:Radius / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds