Poster 107: The Use of Coacervate Sustained Release System to Identify the Most Potent BMP for Bone Regeneration
Authors: Huard Johnny , Hwang Mintai , Huard Matthieu , Huard Johnny , Ruzbarsky Joseph , Ravuri Sudheer , Wang Yadong , Huard Johnny , Gao Xueqin 
Published: July 2022

Objectives: Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belong to the transforming growth factor superfamily that were first discovered by Marshall Urist. There are 14 BMPs identified to date, each with distinct and versatile functional roles. Two pioneering studies compared the effects of 14 different BMPs on bone regeneration using an ectopic bone formation model and found that BMPs 2, 6, 7, and 9 efficiently induce bone formation using an adeno-viral BMP-transduced C2C12 cell line. This study also found that BMP3 can exert an inhibitory effect on bone formation induced by BMP2, 6, and 7, but not BMP9 [1,2]. Our research team previously showed that human muscle derived stem cells (hMDSCs) can promote bone regeneration in critical size calvarial bone defect when transduced with lenti-viral BMP2 [3-5]. However, the gene transduction of stem cells may limit its clinical translation due to safety concerns. Coacervate is a polymer designed to achieve local and sustained release of growth factors including for tissue engineering applications for bone and cartilage repair [6-8]. The aim of this study is to use the coacervate sustained release platform to identify the most potent BMPs for enhancement of bone regeneration in a critical sized calvarial bone defect. Methods: 1. Synthesis of poly (ethylene argininylaspartate diglyceride) (PEAD) was performed as previously described[9]. To form coacervate, 12.5ml FDA approved heparin (2mg/ml) was added to 2µg of BMPs and allowed to bind at least 1 minute and then PEAD was added to the heparin-BMP complex allowing for BMPs to be sustain released. 2. In vivo bone formation using calvarial bone defect model: male ISCRSCID mice were divided into 6 groups (N=6): (1) PBS+coacervate group; (2) 2 µg BMP2+coacervate (3) 2 µg BMP4+coacervate; (4) 2 µg BMP6+coacervate; (5) 2 µg BMP7+coacervate;(6) 2 µg BMP9+coacervate. Fibrin sealant was used as scaffold. Critical size 5mm calvarial bone defects were created on the right parietal bone of mice as previously described [5]. After creation of the defect, each group received respective coacervate BMPs. The coacervate with BMPs or PBS was first mixed with 20ml thrombin, added to the defect, and thereafter, 20ml fibrinogen was added to the defect and allowed 1-2 minutes to form fibrin gel. 3. MicroCT and histology: Bone regeneration was quantified using the Viva-CT 80 at days 1, 14, 28 and 42 respectively. Mice were sacrificed at 6 weeks after surgery and skulls were harvested and fixed in formalin for histology. After decalcification, tissues were paraffin embedded and sectioned. H&E, Herovici’s staining, and TRAP staining were performed to reveal general morphology, collagen type 1 and osteoclasts. Immunohistochemistry was performed for osterix to stain osteogenic progenitor cells. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance using Graphpad Prism 9 followed by Tukey-post hoc pairwise comparisons. P<0.05 was considered statistical difference. Results: MicroCT results showed almost no bone formation in the PBS coacervate group (Fig.1A). All coacervate delivered BMPs groups regenerated new bone in the defect area. The BMP2 and BMP7 groups showed more robust new bone formation than BMPs 4, 6, & 9. However, none of the BMP groups completely healed the critical sized bone defect (Fig.1A). Quantification indicated that all BMP groups regenerated significantly more bone than the PBS group. The BMP2 group regenerated the highest amount of new bone at all time points tested which was approximately 10 folds more bone than that of BMP 4, 6, & 9 groups. BMP2 also regenerated more new bone than the BMP7 group. BMP7 regenerated more bone when compared to the BMP4, 6, & 9 groups and resulted in approximately 3 folds more new bone than the BMP 4, 6, & 7 groups at any time points (Fig.1B). Herovici’s staining showed red collagen I bone matrix in all groups at the edge (1/4 from front of the defect) and middle (1/2 from front of the defect) of the defect. The BMP2 group showed complete healing at the edge and more bone at the middle of the defect. Scar tissues showed blue fiber like structure (Fig.2A). H&E staining demonstrated the new bone is functional trabecular bone with bone matrix while the bone marrow contained cells of the myeloid lineage, red blood cells lineage and megakaryocytes (Fig.2B). Immunohistochemistry revealed OSX +osteogenic progenitor cell on the new bone surface in all BMPs groups. Quantification showed no statistical differences. PBS group showed only residual host bone due to minimal new bone available to analyze (Fig.3A and C). Furthermore, TRAP staining for osteoclasts indicated the new bone formation after BMP treatment indicating a normal bone remodeling. The BMP2 group showed significantly lower TRAP + cells on the bone surface compared to the PBS group (Fig.3B and D). Conclusions: The current study reveals that the use of coacervate to deliver BMPs induced bone formation to different extents in a critical sized calvarial defect. BMP2 and BMP7 were the most potent BMPs in promoting bone formation. The new bone regenerated by the BMP2 group is equivalent to new bone regenerated using lenti-BMP2 transduced human muscle derived stem cells. More importantly, the newly regenerated bones are the same as natural host trabecular bone without any residual material. [Figure: see text][Figure: see text][Figure: see text]