Bone regeneration following injection of mesenchymal stem cells and fibrin glue with a biodegradable scaffold

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a combination of fibrin glue, beta-tricalcium phosphate as a biodegradable (beta-TCP) and mesenchymal stem cells would provide three-dimensional templates for bone growth resulting in new bone formation at heterotopic sites in the rat with plasticity. Material and Methods: Growing stem cells and developing matrices, explanted from the rat femur, were fragmented and mixed with fibrin glue in a syringe. The cells /beta-TCP fibrin glue admixtures were injected into the subcutaneous space on the dorsum of the rat. Results: Eight weeks after implantation ' gross morphology revealed a pearly opalescence and firm consistency. Histological inspections showed newly formed bone structures in all admixtures, but none in the control groups when only fibrin glue and beta-TCP were injected. Osteopontin, a protein important in bone development, was identified by using antibodies in all cells/ beta-TCP fibrin glue admixtures. Conclusion: Mesenchymal stem cells/beta-TCP fibrin glue admixtures can result in successful bone formation. This technique holds the promise o*f a minimally invasive means of generating autogenous bone to correct or reconstruct bony defects. (C) 2003 European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery.