Ex vivo gene therapy in autologous bone marrow stromal stem cells for tissue-engineered maxillofacial bone regeneration

Abstract

This study examines the clinical relevance of tissue engineering integrating gene therapy and polymer science to bone regeneration. Bilateral maxillary defects (3 × 1.2 cm²) in 20 miniature swine were bridged with a bioresorbable internal splint. Constructs were created using ex vivo adenovirus bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2-mediated gene transfer to the expanded bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) 7 days before implantation. Controls were performed using adenovirus β-galactosidase. The BMP-2 cell/construct displayed white solid bone formation after 3 months. Meanwhile, the hematoxylin and eosin and Von Kossa stains demonstrated exhibited mature woven bone with good mineralization. Additionally, three-dimensional computer tomography imaging revealed a nearly complete infraorbital rim repair. Quantitative analysis demonstrated a significant difference (Pex vivo replication defective adenovirus-mediated human BMP-2 gene transfer to MSCs enhances autologous bone formation in the repair of maxillary defects.