Presence of Cells in Fresh-Frozen Allogeneic Bone Grafts from Different Tissue Banks

Abstract

Bone replacement materials have been widely used to reconstruct atrophic jawbones. Based on previous reports demonstrating the presence of viable cells in bone blocks even after processing by musculoskeletal tissue banks for orthopedic use, the aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of cells in bone blocks from three Brazilian tissue banks for maxillary reconstructions. All samples were processed by the respective tissue banks, according to the guidelines of the Brazilian National Sanitary Surveillance Agency. Three samples were removed from each block for subsequent histological processing and stained using hematoxylin & eosin. Further evaluation included section staining by the Feulgen method and ultrastructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Light microscopy images from all bone samples showed presence of osteocyte-like cells in all groups and intense Feulgen staining, demonstrating presence of DNA in bone even after tissue processing. The ultrastructural analysis showed red blood cells in lacunae within the bone tissue. In conclusion, despite bone tissue processing by the musculoskeletal tissue banks, cells may be found within the bone used for allogeneic grafts.

Histological Evaluation of a New Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate/Hydroxyapatite/Poly (1-Lactide-Co-Caprolactone) Composite Biomaterial in the Inflammatory Process and Repair of Critical Bone Defects

“…Inorganic bovine bone particles, however, undergo very slow resorption [8], and the amount of new mineralized tissue may be lower when compared to other bone substitutes [9][10][11]. In addition, some xenogeneic and allogeneic materials may induce an immunogenic response or a foreign body reaction [25][26][27][28]. Thus, some alloplastic materials have emerged as an attractive alternative to guided tissue regeneration (GTR), although their efficacy is debatable in the literature, especially with regards to the intense inflammatory reaction and large amount of remaining material associated with them [29].…”

Obstacles and challenges for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: Australian nuances

“…Clinically, implanted acellular natural biomatrices are now used as bone scaffolds for orthopaedic and jaw reconstructions, with bone tissue banks established for this purpose . However, there are reports that it can be difficult to eliminate persisting allogeneic cells from the donor bones . Such acellular native bioscaffolds (with subsequent population by autologous host cells) are attracting much attention, although this is daunting for organs .…”

“…93 However, there are reports that it can be difficult to eliminate persisting allogeneic cells from the donor bones. 94 Such acellular native bioscaffolds (with subsequent population by autologous host cells) are attracting much attention, although this is daunting for organs. 95 Clinical success with autologous cells grown on an artificial scaffold ex vivo and implanted into humans, is seen with replacement of corneal epithelium using limbal stem cells cultured from the healthy eye of the patient (the eye is an immunoprivileged site and this may assist survival of the cultured cells).…”

Primary or anamnestic antibody response to the D antigen (RhD)after bone grafting: Case report and implications

“…Allografts, although easier to obtain, are less suitable because osteogenic potential, for instance, is poorer (consequent to freezing), and because of alloimmunisation risks. 1 With respect to alloimmunisation, bone allografts are supposedly denuded of cells, and are considered to be almost 'allo-implants' incapable of generating immune responses. However, RBC are detectable in bone lacunae.…”

“…However, RBC are detectable in bone lacunae. 1 Even very few RBC-such as in an adult dose of platelets-can cause alloimmunisation. 2 It is believed that frozenthawed RBC components are less likely than standard RBC to cause HLA alloimmunisation, but there is little information regarding immunogenicity of RBC antigens after freezing.…”