Gelatin-Modified Calcium/Strontium Hydrogen Phosphates Stimulate Bone Regeneration in Osteoblast/Osteoclast Co-Culture and in Osteoporotic Rat Femur Defects—In Vitro to In Vivo Translation

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Benjamin Kruppke - , Chair of Biomaterials (Author)
  • Seemun Ray - (Author)
  • Volker Alt - (Author)
  • Marcus Rohnke - (Author)
  • Christine Kern - (Author)
  • Marian Kampschulte - (Author)
  • Christiane Heinemann - , Chair of Biomaterials (Author)
  • Matthäus Budak - (Author)
  • Josephine Adam - (Author)
  • Nils Döhner - (Author)
  • Lucretia Franz-Forsthofer - (Author)
  • Thaqif El Khassawna - (Author)
  • Christian Heiß - (Author)
  • Thomas Hanke - , Chair of Biomaterials (Author)
  • Ulrich Thormann - (Author)

Abstract

The development and characterization of biomaterials for bone replacement in case of large defects in preconditioned bone (e.g., osteoporosis) require close cooperation of various disciplines. Of particular interest are effects observed in vitro at the cellular level and their in vivo representation in animal experiments. In the present case, the material-based alteration of the ratio of osteoblasts to osteoclasts in vitro in the context of their co-cultivation was examined and showed equivalence to the material-based stimulation of bone regeneration in a bone defect of osteoporotic rats. Gelatin-modified calcium/strontium phosphates with a Ca:Sr ratio in their precipitation solutions of 5:5 and 3:7 caused a pro-osteogenic reaction on both levels in vitro and in vivo. Stimulation of osteoblasts and inhibition of osteoclast activity were proven during culture on materials with higher strontium content. The same material caused a decrease in osteoclast activity in vitro. In vivo, a positive effect of the material with increased strontium content was observed by immunohistochemistry, e.g., by significantly increased bone volume to tissue volume ratio, increased bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) expression, and significantly reduced receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio. In addition, material degradation and bone regeneration were examined after 6 weeks using stage scans with ToF-SIMS and µ-CT imaging. The remaining material in the defects and strontium signals, which originate from areas exceeding the defect area, indicate the incorporation of strontium ions into the surrounding mineralized tissue. Thus, the material inherent properties (release of biologically active ions, solubility and degradability, mechanical strength) directly influenced the cellular reaction in vitro and also bone regeneration in vivo. Based on this, in the future, materials might be synthesized and specifically adapted to patient-specific needs and their bone status.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number5103
Number of pages24
JournalMolecules
Issue number21
Publication statusPublished - 2020
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85095732117

Keywords

Keywords

  • biomimetic material, osteoporosis, fracture defect, co-culture, calcium phosphate, strontium phosphate