Effect of BMP-2 Adherent to Resorbable Sutures on Cartilage Repair: A Rat Model of Xyphoid Process

Abstract

Meniscal tears are often seen in orthopedic practice. The current strategy for meniscal repair has only had limited success with a relatively high incidence of re-operative rate. This study evaluates the therapeutic effects of Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) soaked sutures for cartilage repair, using a rat model of xyphoid healing. Vicryl-resorbable sutures were presoaked in BMP-2 solutions prior to animal experimentation. Rat xyphoid process (an avascular hyaline cartilage structure) was surgically ruptured followed by repair procedures with regular suture or with sutures that were pre-soaked in BMP-2 solutions. In vitro assessment indicated that presoaking the Vicryl-resorbable sutures with 10 µg/mL BMP-2 resulted in a sustained amount of the growth factor release up to 7 days. Histological analysis suggested that application of this BMP-2 soaked suture on the rat xyphoid process model significantly improved the avascular cartilage healing compared to non-soaked control sutures. In conclusion, data here confirm that the rat xyphoid process repair is a reproducible and inexpensive animal model for meniscus and other cartilage repair. More importantly, coating of BMP-2 on sutures appears a potential avenue to improve cartilage repair and regeneration. Further study is warranted to explore the molecular mechanisms of this strategy.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Exosome-delivered BMP-2 and polyaspartic acid promotes tendon bone healing in rotator cuff tear via Smad/RUNX2 signaling pathway

“…Biological augmentation of rotator cuff repair provides new strategies to reinstate normal tendon bone structure, including cell growth factors, mesenchymal stem cells and biological enzymes. BMP-2, belonging to TGF family, has been indicated to play crucial roles in cartilage repair, extracellular matrix synthesis and chondrocyte differentiation [ 22–24 ], suggesting that BMP-2 might be used to heal tendon–bone in rotator cuff injury. However, it greatly restricts the application of BMP-2 in the treatment of rotator cuff injury due to the limited content of natural BMP-2, sustained release and unsustainable.…”