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Updated: Jan 16, 2026
Polyelectrolyte Complex for Heparin Binding Domain Osteogenic Growth Factor Delivery
Published on: August 22, 2016
Extended Release of rhPDGF-ββ and rhBMP-2 From the Heparin Binding Site of Fibrin: An In Vitro Pilot Study
Jeffrey A Scolnick1, Jack Coleman2, Stuart J Froum3
1Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, New York; Private Practice in Prosthodontics, New York, New York; Diplomate, International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
Background:
The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-ßß (rhPDGF-ßß) and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) can be released over an extended timeframe from a biologic fibrin membrane capable of being used in a guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedure.
Methods:
Human venous blood samples were placed into 10 9-ml silica-lined test tubes. Two of the tubes were doped with rhPDGF-ßß, two tubes were doped with rhBMP-2, and two were doped with alpha-2 antiplasmin plus rhBMP-2. Four tubes with no growth factors added served as controls. After centrifugation the blood clots were separated from the red blood cell fraction and platelet poor plasma. The clots were placed into wells with liquid growth medium except for the platelet poor plasma and the serum squeezed from the clots. These solutions were measured directly. One milliliter of growth medium from the clots was removed at 20 minutes, 4 hours, 72 hours, 168 hours, 312 hours, and 336 hours and replaced with 1 ml of fresh growth medium. All samples were analyzed using indirect ELISA assay. Six 9-ml plastic-lined test tubes were filled with venous blood. After centrifugation the uncoagulated plasma was separated from the red blood cell layer and placed into a surgical bowl. Coagulation was initiated with 500 µl of calcium chloride for 30 minutes.
Results:
The indirect ELISA assay for rhPDGF-ßß at 116 hours showed 1,583 pg/ml compared to 8 pg/ml from the average of the control samples with no growth factor added. The ELISA assay for rhBMP-2 at 324 hours showed 9,606 pg/ml, and for alpha-2 antiplasmin plus rhBMP-2 12,788 pg/ml, compared to no detectable growth factor from the controls. After 30 minutes of incubating the 25 ml of separated plasma, the coagulated clot produced a biologic membrane approximately 40 mm x 45 mm.
Conclusions:
The current pilot study showed fibrin can bind and release rhBMP-2 and rhPDGF-ßß over a 7- to 14-day period allowing the fibrin matrix to become an osseoconductive scaffold. Both growth factors can be incorporated into fibrin to create a biologic membrane to be used for GBR, sinus augmentation, and ridge augmentation.
