Abstract
Material is reviewed that consists of reconstituted collagen fibril gel mineralized in a manner that produces biomimetically sized nanoapatites intimately associated with the fibrils. This gel is formed into usable shapes with a modulus and strength that allow it to be surgically press fitted into bony defects. The design paradigm for the material is that the nanoapatites will dissolve into soluble Ca2+ as the collagen is degraded into RGD-containing peptide fragments due to osteoclastic action. This is intended to signal to the osteoclasts to continue removing the material in a biomimetic fashion similar to bony remodeling. Preliminary experiments in a subcutaneous rat model show that the material is biocompatible with respect to inflammatory and immunogenic responses, and that it supports cellular invasion. Preliminary experiments in a critical-sized mandibular defect in rats show that the material is resorbable and functions well as a bone morphogenetic 2 (BMP-2) carrier. We have produced a range of mechanical and biological responses by varying mechanical and chemical processing of the material.
Highlights
The ideal solution for reconstructing large bony defects when mechanical strength and stiffness are required is to transfer autogenous vascularized bone flaps using micro-vascular techniques
The resulting structure has the same molecular arrangement as bone on a
Not shown shown are are minerals minerals in in the the long long thing thing pore pore zones zones between between collagen collagen molecules, molecules, since since these these only only seem after many months to years in the body nanophase bone substitute seem to tobecome becomepopulated populated after many months to years in the[37]
Summary
The ideal solution for reconstructing large bony defects when mechanical strength and stiffness are required is to transfer autogenous vascularized bone flaps using micro-vascular techniques. Autogenous non-vascularized cortical bone grafting (for structural support) is less demanding and risky but is of limited supply and still involves some donor site morbidity. These grafts provide functional needs and are non-immunogenic, but since there is no blood supply and recipient blood vessels are unable to penetrate the dense cortex, most osteocytes do not survive the implantation. What follows is a review of work we have previously published on the development and behavior of this material, along with some new data on its in vitro characterization This is the first time we have presented the full nanoscale biomimetic design rationale for the material. It is the first time we have presented the physico-chemical, in vitro, and in vivo results in one place
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