Bone marrow stromal cells combined with vascular bundle implants in porous xenogeneic deproteinised cancellous bone to construct vascularized bone

Abstract

Objective To study the feasibility of vascularized bone constructed by bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs)combined with vascular bundle implants in porous xenogeneic deproteinised cancellous bone (XDCB). Methods BMSCs were prepared from bone marrow extracted from rabbit iliac crest.The third passage BMSCs were transplanted to XDCB for 2 weeks of osteogenesis.The 48 hind limbs of 24 New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into 4 groups ( n =12).In Group A XDCB was implanted into a subcutaneous pouch of the thigh (XDCB group).In group B XDCB enriched with BMSCs was implanted subcutaneously (XDCB + BMSCs group).In group C the saphenous artery and vein vascular bundle was carefully harvested and channeled into the XDCB which was implanted subcutaneously (XDCB + VB group ).In group D both BMSCs and vascular bundle were introduced into XDCB that was implanted (XDCB + BMSCs + VB group).After 2,4 and 8 weeks,the implants were harvested.Gross anatomic observation,alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity,alizarin red S (ARS) staining and H&E staining of tissue slices of the implants were carried out. Results Bone formations could be found in samples of all the groups except group A.Group D showed more robust angiogenesis and new boneformation comparing to those of group B and C.No vascularization was observed in samples from group A. Conclusion Vascularized bone constructed by BMSCs combined with vascular bundle implants in porous XDCB can accelerate the vascularization and osteogenesis process of the implant.This approach provides a new idea for building tissue-engineered bone. Key words: Tissue engineering; Bone marrow stromal cells; Vascular bundle; Vascalarization