The Bone-Forming Properties of Periosteum-Derived Cells Differ Between Harvest Sites

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Autologous bone grafts have limitations in bone tissue engineering.
• Skeletal stem and progenitor cells (SSPCs) are crucial for creating living bone-forming implants.
• Human periosteum-derived cells (hPDCs) possess progenitor characteristics and in vivo bone formation capacity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize and compare hPDCs from tibia, maxilla, and mandible for craniofacial tissue engineering.
• To evaluate the in vitro differentiation potential and in vivo bone formation of craniofacial hPDCs.
• To identify molecular differences between hPDCs from various anatomical origins.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and culture of hPDCs from tibial, maxillary, and mandibular periosteum.
• Assessment of in vitro trilineage differentiation (chondrogenic, osteogenic, adipogenic).
• Flow cytometry for SSPC marker analysis (CD73, CD164, PDPN, CD146).
• Bulk RNA-sequencing for gene expression profiling.
• In vivo ectopic bone formation assay in nude mice.

Main Results:

• Craniofacial hPDCs (maxilla, mandible) exhibited similar growth and trilineage differentiation potential as tibial hPDCs.
• hPDCs expressed SSPC markers (CD73, CD164, PDPN) and lacked hematopoietic/endothelial markers.
• RNA-sequencing revealed differential expression of HOX, DLX, and SOX9 genes.
• Constructs with tibial and mandibular hPDCs demonstrated in vivo bone formation after 8 weeks.

Conclusions:

• Human periosteum-derived cells display distinct profiles based on anatomical origin.
• Craniofacial hPDCs, particularly from the mandible, are viable candidates for cell-based bone tissue engineering.
• Mandibular hPDCs show significant in vitro and in vivo chondrogenic and osteogenic potential for craniofacial bone regeneration.