Effect of bone marrow mononuclear phagocytes on the bone matrix-induced bone formation in rats

Experimental ulnar bone defects in rats were grafted with freshly isolated whole bone marrow cells; bone marrow mononuclear phagocytes (macrophages); or both types of marrow cell preparations in combination with demineralized bone matrix gelatin (BMG). In the absence of BMG, the osteogenic performance of the marrow cell preparations was superior to that of the macrophages. In the presence of BMG (composite grafts), their osteogenic potential was nearly identical and significantly improved the level of bone formation stimulated by implants of BMG alone. The results encourage speculation and further research on sequential activities of bone marrow monocyte-macrophage (osteoclast) lineages and marrow stromal (osteoprogenitor) cell in bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-induced regeneration.