Effect of bone graft substitute on marrow stromal cell proliferation and differentiation.

Marrow stromal cells (MSCs) are ideally suited for tissue engineered bone grafts since they have the potential to regenerate bone, but may also maintain the homeostasis of the repaired tissue through their ability for self-renewal. An ideal bone graft substitute should support MSC self-renewal as well as differentiation to ensure complete bone defect regeneration and maintenance. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of different substrate materials on MSC expansion and differentiation.

A repeatable ex vivo model of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis.

Study Design: An ex vivo biomechanical study using porcine spinal segments.

Objective: To produce a biomechanical model of both spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis using an accelerated cyclic loading model with intermittent impulse loads.

Summary Of Background Data: Only a few models of spondylolisthesis appropriate for biomechanical testing have been presented previously.

Preparation of BMP-2 containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles stabilized by polymer coating.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the preparation process of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles (NPs), and to assess the bioactivity of BMP-2 encapsulated in such NPs.

Methods: The NPs were prepared by a coacervation method, and the effects of process parameters on NP size and polydispersity were examined. Polymer coated NPs were characterized with respect to amount of adsorbed polymer, particle size and zeta potential.