Osteoinductivity and biomechanical assessment of a 3D printed demineralized bone matrix-ceramic composite in a rat spine fusion model

Mark A. Plantz, Silvia Minardi, Joseph G. Lyons, Allison C. Greene, David J. Ellenbogen, Mitchell Hallman, Jonathan T. Yamaguchi, Soyeon Jeong, Chawon Yun, Adam E. Jakus, Kenneth R. Blank, Robert M. Havey, Muturi Muriuki, Avinash G. Patwardhan, Ramille N. Shah, Wellington K. Hsu, Stuart R. Stock, Erin L. Hsu*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

We recently developed a recombinant growth factor-free bone regenerative scaffold composed of stoichiometric hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramic particles and human demineralized bone matrix (DBM) particles (HA-DBM). Here, we performed the first pre-clinical comparative evaluation of HA-DBM relative to the industry standard and established positive control, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), using a rat posterolateral spinal fusion model (PLF). Female Sprague–Dawley rats underwent bilateral L4-L5 PLF with implantation of the HA-DBM scaffold or rhBMP-2. Fusion was evaluated using radiography and blinded manual palpation, while biomechanical testing quantified the segmental flexion-extension range-of-motion (ROM) and stiffness of the fused segments at 8-weeks postoperatively. For mechanistic studies, pro-osteogenic gene and protein expression at 2-days and 1-, 2-, and 8-weeks postoperatively was assessed with another cohort. Unilateral fusion rates did not differ between the HA-DBM (93%) and rhBMP-2 (100%) groups; however, fusion scores were higher with rhBMP-2 (p = 0.008). Both treatments resulted in significantly reduced segmental ROM (p < 0.001) and greater stiffness (p = 0.009) when compared with non-operated controls; however, the degree of stabilization was significantly higher with rhBMP-2 treatment relative to the HA-DBM scaffold. In the mechanistic studies, PLGA and HA scaffolds were used as negative controls. Both rhBMP-2 and HA-DBM treatments resulted in significant elevations of several osteogenesis-associated genes, including Runx2, Osx, and Alp. The rhBMP-2 treatment led to significantly greater early, mid, and late osteogenic markers, which may be the mechanism in which early clinical complications are seen. The HA-DBM scaffold also induced osteogenic gene expression, but primarily at the 2-week postoperative timepoint. Overall, our findings show promise for this 3D-printed composite as a recombinant growth factor-free bone graft substitute for spinal fusion. Statement of significance: Despite current developments in bone graft technology, there remains a significant void in adequate materials for bone regeneration in clinical applications. Two of the most efficacious bone graft options are the gold-standard iliac crest bone graft and recombinant human-derived bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), available commercially as Infuse™. Although efficacious, autologous graft is associated with donor-site morbidity, and Infuse™ has known side effects related to its substantial host inflammatory response, possibly associated with a immediate, robust osteoinductive response. Hence, there is a need for a bone graft substitute that provides adequate osteogenesis without associated adverse events. This study represents a significant step in the design of off-the-shelf growth factor-free devices for spine fusion.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)146-158
Number of pages13
JournalActa Biomaterialia
Volume127
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2021

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the National Institutes of Health [grant number R01AR069580 ]. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. This research used resources of Northwestern University's Analytical bioNanoTechnology Equipment Core (ANTEC), the Center for Advanced Microscopy (CAM), and the Mouse Histology and Phenotyping Laboratory core facilities. The laboratory microCT data were collected at the Rush University Microcomputed Tomography/Histology Core Facility. This research also used resources of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory of the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital. The contents of this publication do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. This research used resources of the Advanced Photon Source, a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science User Facility, operated for the DOE Office of Science by Argonne National Laboratory under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357; and the authors acknowledge the assistance of P. Shevchenko during the imaging experiments at beamline 2-BM.

Keywords

  • 3D printing
  • Bone regeneration
  • Demineralized bone matrix
  • Hydroxyapatite
  • Spine fusion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biomaterials
  • Biochemistry
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Molecular Biology

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