Increased Osteoid Formation in BMP-2-Loaded Silk-Based Screws.
Resorbable osteosynthesis systems are used to treat craniofacial fractures. However, conventional synthetic polyester materials are potentially associated with inflammatory reaction and negative host response and may result in incomplete bone remodeling. The authors have developed a resorbable silk fibroin-based osteosynthesis system and propose that silk screws loaded with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) may exhibit biocompatibility and promote bone remodeling.



Resorbable silk screws were prepared and loaded with BMP-2. The BMP-2-loaded and nonloaded silk screws were inserted into the distal femora in 15 Sprague-Dawley rats by self-tapping, similar to conventional metal systems. Animals were euthanized after 1, 3, and 6 months. The femora were explanted at the designated time points, dissected for histologic evaluation, and compared regarding osteoid formation and inflammatory response.



Increasing organization of newly formed bone tissue was observed over time in both groups. No appreciable difference in inflammation was noted between the BMP-2-loaded and nonloaded silk screws. Notably, mineralized collagen around the periphery of the screw appears to be greatest and more organized in the BMP-2-loaded samples. There was greater recruitment of osteoclasts and osteoblasts around the perimeter of the BMP-2-loaded screws at 3 and 6 months.



The BMP-2-loaded silk-based fixation device in this study exhibited characteristics comparable to the current nonloaded silk screws with regard to integration and biocompatibility. However, functionalization of silk screws with BMP-2 appeared to allow for more organized collagen and osteoid deposition after 3 and 6 months and may increase the potential of successful remodeling.
Boston and Medford, Mass.|From the Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School; and the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University.
Pieter G L
PGL
Koolen
Boston and Medford, Mass.|From the Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School; and the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University.
Dylan
D
Haas
Boston and Medford, Mass.|From the Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School; and the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University.
Kuylhee
K
Kim
Boston and Medford, Mass.|From the Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School; and the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University.
Sharon
S
Fox
Boston and Medford, Mass.|From the Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School; and the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University.
Ahmed M S
AMS
Ibrahim
Boston and Medford, Mass.|From the Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School; and the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University.
Peter
P
Kim
Boston and Medford, Mass.|From the Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School; and the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University.
David L
DL
Kaplan
Boston and Medford, Mass.|From the Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School; and the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University.
Samuel J
SJ
Lin
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects; D001863:Bone Screws; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D047011:Silk
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D004343:Drug Implants; D047011:Silk; D003094:Collagen