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Successful Spinal Fusion by E. coli-derived BMP-2-adsorbed Porous β-TCP Granules: A Pilot Study

  • Symposium: Tribute to Dr. Marshall Urist: Musculoskeletal Growth Factors
  • Published:
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®

Abstract

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) were originally identified as osteoinductive proteins. With cloning of BMP genes, studies of BMPs and their clinical application have advanced. However, with increasing clinical applications, drug delivery systems and production costs have become more important issues. To address these issues, we asked whether E. coli-derived rhBMP-2 (E-BMP-2)-adsorbed porous β-TCP granules could achieve posterolateral lumbar fusion in a rabbit model similar to autogenous bone grafts. Lumbar spinal fusion masses were evaluated by 3-D computed tomography, mechanical testing, and histological analyses 8 weeks after surgery. By these measures E-BMP-2-adsorbed β-TCP granules achieved lumbar spinal fusion in dose-dependent fashion in a rabbit model as well as autogenous bone graft. Our preliminary findings suggest E-BMP-2-adsorbed porous β-TCP could be a novel, effective alternative to autogenous bone grafting for generating new bone and promoting regenerative repair of bone, and potentially utilizable in the clinical setting for treating spinal disorders.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Drs. A. Suzuki, K. Yano, T. Matsumoto, H. Yasuda, K. Sugama, H. Irie, and A. Yamada, W. Fukushima, M Fukui, and also Ms. A. Inagaki, Ms. K. Hata, Ms. K. Kamei, and Ms. Y. Hanamoto for technical and statistical assistance. E-BMP-2 was produced and kindly provided by Dr. W. Sebald (Würzburg, Germany) and donated to us through Osteopharma Inc. (Osaka, Japan). The β-TCP granules were donated by HOYA Corp. (Tokyo, Japan).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan

    Sho Dohzono MD, Yuuki Imai MD, PhD, Hiroaki Nakamura MD, PhD, Shigeyuki Wakitani MD, PhD & Kunio Takaoka MD, PhD

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  1. Sho Dohzono MD
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  2. Yuuki Imai MD, PhD
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  3. Hiroaki Nakamura MD, PhD
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  4. Shigeyuki Wakitani MD, PhD
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  5. Kunio Takaoka MD, PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yuuki Imai MD, PhD.

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Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article. This work was supported in part by Grants-in-Aid from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan (Project Grants 16109009 and 1679085 to KT, and 19791018 to YI).

Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the animal protocol for this investigation and that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research.

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Dohzono, S., Imai, Y., Nakamura, H. et al. Successful Spinal Fusion by E. coli-derived BMP-2-adsorbed Porous β-TCP Granules: A Pilot Study. Clin Orthop Relat Res 467, 3206–3212 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-009-0960-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-009-0960-1

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