Cell-based approaches to the engineering of vascularized bone tissue

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Biomaterials Science
• Orthopaedic Surgery

Background:

• Large bone defects and non-unions present significant clinical challenges, with current treatments yielding variable results.
• Existing therapies like growth factor and gene delivery have limitations and potential complications.
• Cell-based therapies offer a promising avenue by mimicking the natural bone-healing process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in cell-based therapies for creating vascularized bone tissue.
• To explore the combination of osteogenic and vasculogenic cells for enhanced bone regeneration.
• To discuss the translation of these approaches from in vitro to in vivo models.

Main Methods:

• Summarizing research on combining osteogenic and vasculogenic cells in co-cultures.
• Analyzing studies using 2D and 3D systems to understand cell interactions.
• Reviewing the application of these methods in ectopic and orthotopic animal models.

Main Results:

• Co-culture systems provide insights into osteogenic and vasculogenic cell interactions.
• Cell-based approaches have been successfully translated to small-animal models.
• These studies demonstrate the potential for concomitant regeneration of vasculature and bone tissue.

Conclusions:

• Cell-based therapies hold significant potential for treating large and ischemic bone defects.
• Further pre-clinical studies are essential to advance these strategies toward clinical application.
• Cytotherapy represents a rapidly developing field for challenging orthopaedic repair problems.