Effects of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release from polylactide-poly (ethylene glycol)-polylactide (PELA) microcapsule-based scaffolds on bone

Braz J Med Biol Res. 2017 Nov 30;51(2):e6520. doi: 10.1590/1414-431X20176520.

Abstract

Multiple growth factors can be administered to mimic the natural process of bone healing in bone tissue engineering. We investigated the effects of sequential release of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from polylactide-poly (ethylene glycol)-polylactide (PELA) microcapsule-based scaffolds on bone regeneration. To improve the double emulsion/solvent evaporation technique, VEGF was encapsulated in PELA microcapsules, to which BMP-2 was attached. The scaffold (BMP-2/PELA/VEGF) was then fused to these microcapsules using the dichloromethane vapor method. The bioactivity of the released BMP-2 and VEGF was then quantified in rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs). Immunoblotting analysis showed that BMP-2/PELA/VEG promoted the differentiation of rMSCs into osteoblasts via the MAPK and Wnt pathways. Osteoblast differentiation was assessed through alkaline phosphatase expression. When compared with simple BMP-2 plus VEGF group and pure PELA group, osteoblast differentiation in BMP-2/PELA/VEGF group significantly increased. An MTT assay indicated that BMP-2-loaded PELA scaffolds had no adverse effects on cell activity. BMP-2/PELA/VEG promoted the differentiation of rMSCs into osteoblast via the ERK1/2 and Wnt pathways. Our findings indicate that the sequential release of BMP-2 and VEGF from PELA microcapsule-based scaffolds is a promising approach for the treatment of bone defects.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / metabolism*
  • Bone Regeneration
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Models, Animal
  • Nanoparticles
  • Polyesters / pharmacology*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacology*
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Scaffolds*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / metabolism*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / physiology
  • beta Catenin / physiology

Substances

  • BMP2 protein, human
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2
  • Polyesters
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • beta Catenin
  • polylactide-polyethylene glycol-polylactide
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases