Functionalised High-Performance Oxide Ceramics with Bone Morphogenic Protein 2 (BMP-2) Induced Ossification: An In Vivo Study

Life, vol. 12, pp. 866

Abstract

This study investigated the in vivo osseointegration potential of high-performance oxide ceramics (HPOCs) with peptide bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP-2), comparing them with titanium implants. Histomorphometry was conducted around the distal, proximal, medial, and lateral sides of the implants to quantify the amount of mature and immature ossification within the bone interface. We hypothesised that HPOCs functionalised with BMP-2 promote ossification. HPOCs functionalised with BMP-2 were manufactured at the Department of Dental Materials Science and Biomaterial Research of the RWTH University Aachen, Germany. Histomorphometry was conducted by a professional pathologist in all samples. The region of interest (ROI) represented the percentage of the surrounding area of the implant. The percentages of ROI covered by osteoid implant contact (OIC) and mature bone−implant contact (BIC) were assessed. The surrounding presence of bone resorption, necrosis, and/or inflammation was quantitatively investigated. A total of 36 rabbits were used for the experiments. No bone resorption, necrosis, or inflammation was found in any sample. At the 12-week follow-up, the overall BIC was significantly increased (p < 0.0001). No improvement was evidenced in OIC (p = 0.6). At the 6-week follow-up, the overall OIC was greater in the BMP-2 compared to the titanium group (p = 0.002). The other endpoints of interest evidenced similarity between the two implants at various follow-up time points (p > 0.05). In conclusion, alumina HPOCs functionalised with peptide BMP-2 promote in vivo ossification in a similar fashion to titanium implants.

Authors 5

1. Filippo Migliorini Aachen Department of Orthopaedic, Trauma, and Reconstructive Surgery

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Orthopaedic, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, RWTH University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Jörg Eschweiler Aachen Department of Orthopaedic, Trauma, and Reconstructive Surgery

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Orthopaedic, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, RWTH University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany

3. Nicola Maffulli corresponding

   University of London · University of Salerno · Queen Mary University of London · Mile End Hospital · Keele University

   Affiliation as printed

   Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Mile End Hospital, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4DG, UK

   Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy

   School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Faculty of Medicine, Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7QB, UK

4. Frank Hildebrand Aachen Department of Orthopaedic, Trauma, and Reconstructive Surgery

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Orthopaedic, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, RWTH University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany

5. Hanno Schenker Aachen Department of Orthopaedic, Trauma, and Reconstructive Surgery

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Orthopaedic, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, RWTH University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany