Bone bioengineering
Reconstruction of the facial bones in patients with congenital defects, following trauma or as a result of cancer surgery is a major clinical problem. In this regard, a programme in bone bioengineering was funded through an industrial partnership with Stryker Biotech. This project investigated the reconstruction of significant bony defects using distraction osteogenesis.
The group has also investigated the use of Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP) for maxillofacial reconstruction in a sheep model. This is a collaborative research programme with the mechanical engineering department at Strathclyde University Glasgow, Biology department at King’s College, London and Biological Services at Glasgow University.
Through this collaboration the research group combines the understanding of cell & molecular biology with clinical investigation to modernise the methods of craniofacial reconstruction. The data obtained have indicated the potential for the clinical use of BMP in craniofacial reconstruction, and the preliminary data have also suggested a role for BMP in forming bone within muscle flaps for one-stage reconstruction of mandibular defects.
Based on the results obtained from this animal research, the group is exploring technology transfer for human applications. The ultimate goal is to avoid the morbidity associated with harvesting of autogenous bone grafts.
As an extension of the research in Bone-Bioengineering, the West of Scotland Tissue Engineering Consortium (Wes Tec) was established and the group organised the Bone Regeneration Summit in Glasgow in June 2005 in collaboration with international plastic surgeons, ENT specialists, orthopaedic surgeons, and spinal surgeons, in addition to the basic scientists. The conference recommended a clear strategy for the multidisciplinary research in bone bioengineering.
Recently completed projects
Assessment of the quality of bone regeneration in a critical size osteoperiosteal mandibular continuity defect, created in animal model, was reconstructed using BMP-7 (rhOP-1) on a tricalcium phosphate (TCP) scaffolding.
Three months post-operatively the regenenerated tissue was assessed radiographically, histomorphometrically and tested mechanically.
To assess the quantity of bone regeneration in the experimental cases the histomorphometric analysis performed involved conversion of the histological images into binary (black & white) images and the proportion of black and white pixels was counted and expressed as a percentage of the total image.
The radiographic, mechanical and histomorphometric analysis of the regenerate in the treated critical-size defects in this rabbit model showed that TCP loaded with rhBMP-7 was significantly superior in its capacity for bone regeneration when compared to TCP alone.
Ongoing investigations on bone bioengineering
The use of Stem cells to enhance bone formation
The research team are exploring the impact of adding undifferentiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) on scaffolding to improve the quality of bone formation. MSCs are harvested from the posterior iliac crest, and expanded in appropriate culture media before being seeded onto the TCP scaffolding as shown in the photomicrographs below.
The preliminary results of this investigation will be presented at the annual conference of UKSB (United Kingdom Society of Biomaterials) to be held in Glasgow from 30th June to 1st July 2010. A Ph.D. project will commence in Oct. 2010.
The team
Glasgow Dental Hospital & School
- Professor Ashraf Ayoub
- Kurt Naudi
- David Lappin
- Laetitia Brocklebank
- Elizabeth Weldon
Sheffield University
- Keith Hunter
Biological Services, Glasgow
- Christine Stirton
- Michael Wilkinson
Guy’s, King’s & St Thomas’ Hospital, London
- Lucy Di Silvio
Southern General Hospital, Glasgow
- Jeremy McMahon
- Fraser Walker
Strathclyde University, Glasgow
- Professor Joseph Barbenel
- Malgorzata Rosochowska
- D. Smith
Publication
- Ayoub A, Challa SRR, Abu Serriah M, McMahon J, Moos K, Creanor S, Odell S. Use of composite pedicled muscle flap and rhBMP-7 for mandibular reconstruction. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 36;1183-1192, 2007
Submitted Articles
- K. Naudi, A Ayoub, J Barbenel, Reconstruction of an osteoperiosteal critical-size mandibular defect using bone morphogenetic protein 7 on a tricalcium phosphate scaffolding – Mechanical evaluation
- Kurt Busuttil Naudi, Ashraf Ayoub, Jeremy McMahon, Lucy Di Silvio, David Lappin, Keith D Hunter.Mandibular reconstruction using Tricalcium Phosphate (TCP) scaffolding and recombinant Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 (rhBMP-7) – Histological and Radiographic evaluation
- Naudi KB, Ayoub A, McMahon J, Lappin D, Di Silvio L. Report on the viability of rabbit mesenchymal stem cells placed on a tricalcium phosphate scaffold for potential use in bone regeneration.