PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Richard O C Oreffo

Publications and source records attributed to Richard O C Oreffo.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Immunoselection and adenoviral genetic modulation of human osteoprogenitors: in vivo bone formation on PLA scaffold.

The aim of this study was to examine the potential of immunoselected genetically modified human osteoprogenitors to form bone in vivo on porous PLA scaffolds. Human osteoprogenitors from bone marrow were selected using the antibody STRO-1 utilising a magnetically activated cell separation system. The STRO-1(+) fraction isolated 7% of nucleated marrow cells and increased fibroblastic colony formation by 300% and alkaline phosphatase activity by 190% over unselected marrow cell cultures. To engineer bone tissue, STRO-1(+) culture-expanded cells were transduced with AxCAOBMP-2, an adenovirus carrying the human BMP-2 gene, injected into diffusion chambers containing porous PLA scaffolds, and implanted in vivo. After 11 weeks the presence of bone mineral was observed by X-ray analysis and confirmed for mineral by von Kossa, as well as bone matrix composition by Sirius red staining, birefringence, and type I collagen immunohistochemistry. Bone formation in vivo indicates the potential of using immunoselected progenitor cells and ex vivo gene transfer with biodegradable scaffolds, for the development of protocols for the treatment of a wide variety of musculo-skeletal disorders.

Absorbable Implants↗

Effects of targeted overexpression of pleiotrophin on postnatal bone development.

Pleiotrophin (PTN) is an extracellular matrix-associated growth/differentiation factor that, in post-natal life, is found mainly in bone and brain. Bone development was investigated in ptn-overexpressing mice between 1 and 30 weeks. In transgenics and controls, PTN (and its receptor syndecan-3) was synthesized by osteoblasts and was present in striated muscle. ptn over-expression enhanced intramembranous bone formation and had multiple effects on long-term bone growth. The pubertal growth spurt did not take place in transgenic mice, in which the growth trajectory was steady and continuous until 25 weeks. By 30 weeks, transgenic and control mice were of the same size, but the calcium content/mg bone was approximately 10% higher in the transgenics. PTN was also localized in growth plate and articular chondrocytes, but only in transgenic mice. In these, synthesis of type I collagen by articular chondrocytes was observed, as well as an encroachment of subchondral bone into the articular cartilage. The results suggest that PTN has multiple roles during in vivo bone formation and remodeling, probably acting as a co-factor or accessory protein that modulates the effects of primary signaling molecules.

Animals↗

Bone tissue engineering: hope vs hype.

The requirement for new bone to replace or restore the function of traumatised, damaged, or lost bone is a major clinical and socioeconomic need. Bone formation strategies, although attractive, have yet to yield functional and mechanically competent bone. Bone tissue engineering has been heralded as the alternative strategy to regenerate bone. In essence, the discipline aims to combine progenitor or mature cells with biocompatible materials or scaffolds, with or without appropriate growth factors, to initiate repair and regeneration. This brief review outlines the concepts, challenges, and limitations in bone tissue engineering and the potential that could improve the quality of life for many as a result of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Bone Regeneration↗

Adenoviral BMP-2 gene transfer in mesenchymal stem cells: in vitro and in vivo bone formation on biodegradable polymer scaffolds.

The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of adenoviral gene transfer into primary human bone marrow osteoprogenitor cells in combination with biodegradeable scaffolds to tissue-engineer bone. Osteoprogenitors were infected with AxCAOBMP-2, a vector carrying the human BMP-2 gene. Alkaline phosphatase activity was induced in C2C12 cells following culture with conditioned media from BMP-2 expressing cells, confirming successful secretion of active BMP-2. Expression of alkaline phosphatase activity, type I collagen and mineralisation confirmed bone cell differentiation and maintenance of the osteoblast phenotype in extended culture for up to 6 weeks on PLGA porous scaffolds. In vivo implantation of adenoviral osteoprogenitor constructs on PLGA biodegradeable scaffolds, using diffusion chambers, also demonstrated bone cell differentiation and production of bone tissue. The maintenance of the osteoblast phenotype in extended culture and generation of mineralised 3-D scaffolds containing such constructs indicate the potential of such bone tissue engineering approaches in bone repair.

Absorbable Implants↗

Pleiotrophin/Osteoblast-stimulating factor 1: dissecting its diverse functions in bone formation.

OSF-1, more commonly known as pleiotrophin (PTN) or heparin-binding growth-associated molecule (HB-GAM), belongs to a new family of secreted HB proteins, which are structurally unrelated to any other growth factor family. The aims of this study were to dissect the diverse functions of PTN in bone formation. The study showed that PTN was synthesized by osteoblasts at an early stage of osteogenic differentiation and was present at sites of new bone formation, where PTN was stored in the new bone matrix. Low concentrations (10 pg/ml) of PTN stimulated osteogenic differentiation of mouse bone marrow cells and had a modest effect on their proliferation, whereas higher concentrations (ng/ml) had no effect. However, PTN did not have the osteoinductive potential of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) because it failed to convert C2C12 cells, a premyoblastic cell line, to the osteogenic phenotype, whereas recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) was able to do so. When PTN was present together with rhBMP-2 during the osteoinductive phase, PTN inhibited the BMP-mediated osteoinduction in C2C12 cells at concentrations between 0.05 pg/ml and 100 ng/ml. However, when added after osteoinduction had been achieved, PTN enhanced further osteogenic differentiation. An unusual effect of PTN (50 ng/ml) was the induction of type I collagen synthesis by chondrocytes in organ cultures of chick nasal cartilage and rat growth plates. Thus, PTN had multiple effects on bone formation and the effects were dependent on the concentration of PTN and the timing of its presence. To explain these multiple effects, we propose that PTN is an accessory signaling molecule, which is involved in a variety of processes in bone formation. PTN enhances or inhibits primary responses depending on the prevailing concentrations, the primary stimulus, and the availability of appropriate receptors.

Animals↗

Gene delivery in bone tissue engineering: progress and prospects using viral and nonviral strategies.

Bone tissue loss as a consequence of the natural aging process or as a result of trauma and degenerative disease has led to the need for procedures to generate cartilage and bone for a variety of orthopedic applications. The ability to transfer genes into multipotential mesenchymal stem cells, while still in its infancy, offers considerable therapeutic hope in a variety of musculoskeletal disorders. However, the choice of gene delivery method is key. This review examines the various techniques and methods currently available to enable gene transfer into a target population from viral methods (transduction) to nonviral (transfection) methods and the limitations associated with each method. The potential applications and current understanding of each method are presented. Given the demographic challenge of an aging population, the ultimate goal remains the development of simple, safe, and reproducible strategies for gene delivery that will address the pressing orthopedic clinical imperatives of many.

Adenoviridae↗

Human osteoprogenitor bone formation using encapsulated bone morphogenetic protein 2 in porous polymer scaffolds.

The ability to deliver, over time, biologically active osteogenic growth factors by means of designed scaffolds to sites of tissue regeneration offers tremendous therapeutic opportunities in a variety of musculoskeletal diseases. The aims of this study were to generate porous biodegradable scaffolds encapsulating an osteogenic protein, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), and to examine the ability of the scaffolds to promote human osteoprogenitor differentiation and bone formation in vitro and in vivo. BMP-2-encapsulated poly(DL-lactic acid) (PLA) scaffolds were generated by an innovative supercritical fluid process developed for solvent-sensitive and thermolabile growth factors. BMP-2 released from encapsulated constructs promoted adhesion, migration, expansion, and differentiation of human osteoprogenitor cells on three-dimensional scaffolds. Enhanced matrix synthesis and cell differentiation on growth factor-encapsulated scaffolds was observed after culture in an ex vivo model of bone formation developed on the basis of the chick chorioallantoic membrane model. BMP-2-encapsulated polymer scaffolds showed morphologic evidence of new bone matrix and cartilage formation after subcutaneous implantation and within diffusion chambers implanted into athymic mice as assessed by X-ray analysis and immunocytochemistry. The generation of three-dimensional biomimetic structures incorporating osteoinductive factors such as BMP-2 indicates their potential for de novo bone formation that exploits cell-matrix interactions and, significantly, realistic delivery protocols for growth factors in musculoskeletal tissue engineering.

Adolescent↗

Biomimetic collagen scaffolds for human bone cell growth and differentiation.

Type I collagen provides a structural framework for connective tissues and plays a central role in the temporal cascade of events leading to the formation of new bone from progenitors. The aim of this study was to examine the ability of the cell-binding domain of type I collagen (P-15 peptide) to promote human bone marrow stromal cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation on three-dimensional scaffolds. Human bone marrow stromal cells were selected, expanded, and cultured on particulate microporous ABM ("pure" hydroxyapatite) phase adsorbed with or without P-15 under basal or osteogenic conditions. Immobilized P-15 increased alkaline phosphatase activity and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) gene expression after 1 and 5 days as determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. P-15 promoted human bone marrow stromal cell attachment, spreading, and alignment on ABM as well as alkaline phosphatase-specific activity in basal and osteogenic cultures. The presence of mineralized bone matrix, extensive cell ingrowth, and cellular bridging between three-dimensional matrices adsorbed with P-15 was confirmed by confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and alizarin red staining. Negligible cell growth was observed on ABM alone. In vivo diffusion chamber studies using MF1-nu/nu mice showed bone matrix formation and organized collagen formation after 6 weeks. These studies indicate the potential of P-15 to generate appropriate biomimetic microenvironments for osteoblasts and demonstrate the potential for the exploitation of extracellular matrix cues for osteogenesis and, ultimately, bone regeneration.

Adsorption↗