Study design: in vitro and in vivo assessment of bone morphogenic protein 2 combined with platelet-rich plasma on treatment of disc degeneration.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Our aim was to investigate the biological effects of bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2) on the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into chondrocyte-like cells in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel in vitro. In addition, the effectiveness of BMP2-transduced BMSCs in combined with PRP gel to repair the degenerated intervertebral disc in a rabbit model was also evaluated. Previous studies have shown that tissue engineering provides many promising advantages to treating disc degeneration and may reverse the pathological process of disc degeneration.

METHODS:

The expressions of types I, II and X collagen, aggrecan and Sox9 of the BMP2-transduced BMSCs in monolayer or PRP gel were examined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Sixty New Zealand white rabbits were divided into five groups: 12 normal controls; 12 puncture operated with only disc degeneration being induced; 12 PRP transplantation animals; 12 BMSC and PRP-transplantation animals; 12 BMP2-transduced BMSCs and PRP-transplantation animals. The effect of BMP2-transduced BMSCs on degenerated discs were evaluated by magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan, histology, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS:

BMP2 could facilitate chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs in monolayer or PRP gel. The discs treated with BMP2-transduced BMSCs exhibited relatively well-preserved nucleus pulposus (NP) structure. Significantly higher T2-weighted signal intensity and a greater amount of extracellular matrix were observed in the BMP2-transduced BMSC group compared with other groups. In addition, the presences of BMP2-transduced BMSCs were identified at week 12 postoperatively in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS:

BMP2-transduced BMSCs can maintain the chondrocyte-like phenotype in PRP gel in vitro, and the combined use of these two agents can significantly promote repair of the degenerated discs in vivo.

• Authors: Yang Hou, Guodong Shi, Jiangang Shi, Guohua Xu, Yongfei Guo, Peng Xu
• Journal: International orthopaedics (Int Orthop) Vol. 40 Issue 6 Pg. 1143-55 (Jun 2016) ISSN: 1432-5195 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 26169838 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Aggrecans
• BMP2 protein, human
• Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2
• SOX9 Transcription Factor
• SOX9 protein, human
• Collagen

Topics

• Aggrecans (metabolism)
• Animals
• Blotting, Western
• Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (pharmacology)
• Cell Differentiation
• Chondrocytes (metabolism)
• Collagen (metabolism)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Intervertebral Disc (drug effects, pathology)
• Intervertebral Disc Degeneration (therapy)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Mesenchymal Stem Cells (cytology, drug effects, metabolism)
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (drug effects, metabolism)
• Rabbits
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• SOX9 Transcription Factor (metabolism)