Effect of cell therapy with allogeneic osteoblasts on bone repair of rat calvaria defects

Author(s)

Portilho Souza, Alann Thaffarell ^[1] ; Freitas, Gileade Pereira ^[1] ; Lopes, Helena Bacha ^[1] ; Ferraz, Emanuela Prado ^[1] ; Oliveira, Fabiola Singaretti ^[1] ; Beloti, Marcio Mateus ^[1] ; Rosa, Adalberto Luiz ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Dent Ribeirao Preto, Cell Culture Lab, Av Cafe S-N, BR-14040904 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CYTOTHERAPY; v. 20, n. 10, p. 1267-1277, OCT 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Background aims: Regenerative medicine strategies based on cell therapy are considered a promising approach to repair bone defects. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of subculturing on the osteogenic potential of osteoblasts derived from newborn rat calvaria and the effect of these osteoblasts on bone repair of rat calvaria defects. Methods: Cells were obtained from 50 newborn rat calvaria, and primary osteoblasts (OB) were compared with first passage (OB-P1) in terms of osteogenic potential by assaying cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, extracellular matrix mineralization and gene expression of the osteoblastic markers RUNX2, ALP, osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein. Then, 5-mm calvaria defects were created in 24 Wistar rats, and after 2 weeks, they were locally injected with 50 mu L of phosphate-buffered saline containing either 5 x 10(6) osteoblasts (OB-P1, n = 12) or no cells (control, n = 12). Four weeks post-injection, the bone formation was evaluated by micro-computed tomography and histological analyses. Data were compared by analysis of variance, followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls's test or Student's t-test (P < 0.05). Results: OB-P1 showed high proliferation and ALP activity, and despite the reduced gene expression of osteoblastic markers and extracellular matrix mineralization compared with OB, they displayed osteogenic potential, being a good choice for injection into calvaria defects. The micro-tomographic and histological data showed that defects treated with OB-P1 presented higher bone formation compared with control defects. Discussion: Our results indicate that cells derived from newborn rat calvaria retain osteoblastic characteristics after subculturing and that these osteoblasts stimulate bone repair in a rat calvaria defect model. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/21439-6 - Mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts: evaluation of molecular signatures and their potential for bone regeneration
• Grantee: Adalberto Luiz Rosa
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants