Injectable cartilaginous template transformed BMSCs into vascularized bone

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Dental Implantology

Background:

• Alveolar bone regeneration is crucial for dental implants, especially in cases of severe bone loss or trauma.
• Mimicking embryonic development offers a promising strategy for tissue engineering using stem cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an injectable, mechanically robust cartilaginous graft for alveolar bone regeneration.
• To evaluate the graft's potential for bone remodeling and osseointegration around dental implants.

Main Methods:

• Constructing an injectable graft from particulate decellularized cartilage matrix (PDCM), bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) bricks (CB), and platelet-rich plasma (P) gel.
• Implanting the PDCM-CB-P constructs in immunodeficient mice and rabbit tibia bone defects around implants.

Main Results:

• Rapid angiogenesis and improved tissue survival were observed in PDCM-CB-P constructs in mice.
• In rabbits, CBs transformed into bone tissue, promoting remodeling and PDCM replacement, achieving osseointegration within 3 months.

Conclusions:

• Bone mesenchymal stem cell bricks demonstrate potential for in vivo endochondral ossification.
• The cartilaginous graft offers a minimally-invasive approach for alveolar bone regeneration and peri-implant bone repair.