Bone marrow-derived osteoblasts seeded into porous beta-tricalcium phosphate to repair segmental defect in canine's...

Bone regeneration is often needed for many aesthetic and reconstructive procedures. Tissue engineering provided a promising approach to supplement existing treatment strategies. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of reconstructing mandibular defect by using bioceramics seeded with bone marrow derived osteoblasts.

Canine's autologous marrow stromal cells were Culture-expanded and induced to osteoblastic phenotype, then were seeded into prepared porous beta-tricalcium phosphate, after being incubated in vitro. The cell/ scaffold complexes were implanted into the prepared defect in canines' mandibula and fixed by internal rigid fixation. In control groups, beta-tricalcium phosphate alone and autologous iliums were implanted into the prepared defects. Twelve weeks after implantation, the specimens were examined macroscopically and histologically.

In experimental group and autologous iliums group, new bone grafts were successfully developed at 12 weeks after implantation and repaired the continuity of the mandibula. Histologically, newly formed bone could be observed on the surface and in the pores of beta-tricalcium phosphate in the cell/scaffold group, whereas incomplete bone repair was found in pure beta-tricalcium phosphate group.

The harvested bone marrow derived osteoblasts possess the ability to form new bone tissue when seeded onto porous beta-tricalcium phosphate, which shows the potential of using this method to repair large segmental mandibular defect clinically.