[Repair alveolar cleft bone defects with bone marrow stromal cells]

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Biomaterials Science
• Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

• Alveolar cleft bone defects pose challenges in reconstructive surgery.
• Autografts have limitations, driving the need for alternative bone graft materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of repairing alveolar cleft bone defects using human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs).
• To assess the efficacy and stability of engineered bone constructs in a clinical setting.

Main Methods:

• hBMSCs were isolated from patient bone marrow and cultured in vitro.
• Cells were induced towards osteogenesis and seeded onto a partly demineralized allogenic bone matrix (pDBM).
• The resulting cell-scaffold constructs were used to repair alveolar cleft defects in 7 patients, followed by 3D-CT and clinical evaluation.

Main Results:

• Engineered bone formation was evident within 3 months post-operation.
• The newly formed bone demonstrated stability, with no absorption observed up to 1-3 years post-surgery.
• Clinical examinations corroborated the radiographic findings of successful defect repair.

Conclusions:

• Engineered bone derived from hBMSCs is a feasible and effective option for repairing alveolar cleft bone defects.
• This cell-scaffold construct offers a promising alternative for bone regeneration in craniofacial applications.