Tissue engineering of bone for mandibular augmentation in immunocompetent minipigs: preliminary study

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Background:

• Large mandibular defects pose significant challenges in plastic and maxillofacial surgery.
• Tissue engineering offers a modern solution by combining osteogenic cells with scaffolds.
• Optimizing scaffold structures is key for osteoblast differentiation and matrix production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the osteogenic potential of periosteal cells and a bioabsorbable polymer fleece (Ethisorb 510).
• To evaluate the efficacy of tissue-engineered constructs in repairing critical size mandibular defects in minipigs.

Main Methods:

• Periosteal cells were isolated, expanded in vitro, and seeded into Ethisorb 510 fleeces with fibrin glue.
• Tissue constructs were used to repair critical size mandibular defects in minipigs.
• Bone healing was assessed using radiographs and a histological scoring system at 90 and 180 days.

Main Results:

• Radiographs demonstrated increased radiodensity in defects treated with cell-fibrin-fleece constructs compared to controls.
• Histological scores at 180 days for cell-fibrin-scaffold repairs averaged 2.9, significantly higher than controls (1-2).
• Repairs at 90 days showed a mean histological score of 2.1, indicating progressive bone healing.

Conclusions:

• The combination of periosteal cells and polymer fleeces is a promising strategy for mandibular augmentation.
• This tissue engineering approach shows potential for clinical application in reconstructing large mandibular defects.
• Further research may validate this method for enhancing bone regeneration in maxillofacial surgery.