Publications (3)8.92 Total impact
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Article: The optimal carrier for BMP-2: a comparison of collagen versus fibrin matrix.
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ABSTRACT: The aim of our study was to investigate in vitro and in a new in vivo rat model for impaired bone healing whether a low dose BMP-2 preparation in fibrin would be equivalent or better than the combination of collagen and a high dose of BMP-2 which is currently in clinical use. In a 14 day period we compared the in vitro release kinetics of an absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) with 72 μg rhBMP-2 in the BMPC group and fibrin matrix with 10 μg rhBMP-2 in the BMPF group. In our in vivo experiment a critical sized osteotomy was performed in the rat femur, which was filled with a spacer, inhibiting bone formation for a period of 4 weeks. In a second operation this spacer was removed and the test item was applied into the defect. We compared the BMPF and BMPC groups with the ACS alone, FIBRIN alone and the EMPTY (4w/8w) control groups. 4 and 8 weeks after the second operation, specimens were analysed by X-ray and μCT imaging. Mechanically stable femurs were biomechanically evaluated. Cumulative BMP-2 release was five times higher in the BMPF group than in the BMPC group during the observation period. μCT analysis revealed that both the extent of bone union and the bone volume were significantly higher in the group with a lower dose of BMP-2 in fibrin matrix than in the groups without BMP-2 treatment. However there was no statistically significant difference between the BMPF and BMPC groups. We conclude that fibrin matrix is an excellent carrier for BMP-2 and that it provides equivalent results with a sevenfold lower dose of BMP-2 compared with ACS.Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery 06/2012; 132(9):1363-70. · 1.37 Impact Factor -
Article: Enhanced reporter gene assay for the detection of osteogenic differentiation.
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ABSTRACT: Detection of osteogenic differentiation is crucial for bone tissue engineering. Despite established standard end point assays, there is increasing demand for methods allowing noninvasive kinetic differentiation monitoring. Reporter gene assays employing tissue-specific promoters and suitable reporter genes fulfill these requirements. Many promoters, however, exhibit only weak cis-activating potential, thus limiting their application to generate sensitive reporter gene assays. Therefore, the aim of this study was to design a reporter gene assay employing elements of the murine osteocalcin promoter coupled to a viral enhancer for signal amplification. Additionally, the system's practicability was enhanced by introducing a secreted luciferase as a quantifiable reporter gene. The constructs were tested in C2C12 cells stimulated with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 for osteogenic differentiation in two-dimensional and three-dimensional culture. Osteogenic differentiation was confirmed by standard assays for osteogenesis. The reporter gene signal was detected through a secreted luciferase or fluorescence microscopy for enhanced yellow fluorescent protein. The constructs exhibited strong activation upon treatment with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2. Weak background expression was observable in negative controls, attributed to the pan-active viral enhancer. In conclusion, a novel enhancer/tissue-specific promoter combination allows specific signal-amplified, kinetic monitoring of osteogenic differentiation in a nonsample-destructive manner.Tissue Engineering Part C Methods 11/2010; 17(4):401-10. · 4.64 Impact Factor -
Article: Sustained (rh)VEGF(165) release from a sprayed fibrin biomatrix induces angiogenesis, up-regulation of endogenous VEGF-R2, and reduces ischemic flap necrosis.
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ABSTRACT: This study investigated (1) the release of recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor ([rh]VEGF(165)) from an in vitro fibrin matrix, (2) the effects of (rh)VEGF(165) released from an in vivo fibrin matrix on ischemic flap necrosis in the rat dorsal skin flap model, and (3) the effects of (rh)VEGF(165) released from an in vivo fibrin matrix on VEGF-R2 expression in transgenic VEGF-R2/luc mice. In vitro fibrin matrices were spiked with (rh)VEGF(165) and demonstrated (rh)VEGF(165) release over 88 hours with 66% recovery. Ischemic dorsal flaps were treated with a fibrin sealant (FS), FS spiked with (rh)VEGF(165), or left untreated. Flaps treated with FS spiked with (rh)VEGF(165) showed greater viability than controls as measured by planimetric analysis. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed stronger neovascularization than that exhibited by controls. Transgenic mice implanted with FS spiked with (rh)VEGF(165) had significant increases in VEGF-R2 expression relative to controls at days 5-13 after implantation. Conclusions drawn from this work are that (1) (rh)VEGF(165) is released from an in vitro fibrin matrix at clinically appropriate times, (2) (rh)VEGF(165) increases the viability of tissue flaps in vivo, and (3) (rh)VEGF(165) induces the expression of VEGF-R2 expression. This work demonstrates the clinical ability of sprayed FS to locally deliver growth factors to ischemic tissue of patients.Wound Repair and Regeneration 16(4):542-50. · 2.91 Impact Factor