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Self-assembled polyelectrolyte complexes (PEC) fabricated from heparin and protamine were deposited on alginate beads to entrap and regulate the release of osteogenic growth factors. This delivery strategy enables a 20-fold reduction of BMP-2 dose in spinal fusion applications. This article illustrates the benefits and fabrication of PECs.
During reconstructive bone surgeries, supraphysiological amounts of growth factors are empirically loaded onto scaffolds to promote successful bone fusion. Large doses of highly potent biological agents are required due to growth factor instability as a result of rapid enzymatic degradation as well as carrier inefficiencies in localizing sufficient amounts of growth factor at implant sites. Hence, strategies that prolong the stability of growth factors such as BMP-2/NELL-1, and control their release could actually lower their efficacious dose and thus reduce the need for larger doses during future bone regeneration surgeries. This in turn will reduce side effects and growth factor costs. Self-assembled PECs have been fabricated to provide better control of BMP-2/NELL-1 delivery via heparin binding and further potentiate growth factor bioactivity by enhancing in vivo stability. Here we illustrate the simplicity of PEC fabrication which aids in the delivery of a variety of growth factors during reconstructive bone surgeries.
The incidence of pseudoarthrosis has been reported to be as high as 10 to 45% in degenerative spinal fusion and revision spinal surgeries1. To reduce the rate of pseudarthrosis during spine fusion and other reconstructive bone surgeries, osteogenic growth factors such as BMP-2, Nell-11 and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) have been introduced to promote de novo osteogenesis. Among these, BMP-2 is a popular choice for spinal fusion2. Although the potency of BMP-2 in inducing and facilitating new bone formation has been well established3; clinically significant complications such as heterotopic bone formation, seroma and ....
1. Alginate Solution Preparation
2. Alginate Microbead Fabrication
In our carrier, protamine was chosen as a substitute of poly-L-lysine as it has similar chemical properties and it is FDA approved as an antidote of heparin. Optical microscope results showed that the non-irradiated microbeads were spherical in shape with a diameter of 267 ± 14 µm. (0.35 mm nozzle, flow rate of 5 ml/hr & 5.8 kV). The majority of the irradiated microbeads are of teardrop shape. The diameter measured on the round portion of the irradiated microbeads was 212 &#.......
This protocol presents a method for the preparation of PECs through layer-by-layer self-assembly. The layer-by-layer structure is visualized using fluorescent analogues of protamine, heparin, BMP-2 and NELL-1 and confocal microscopy. Uptake and release tests show that heparin on PEC mediates osteogenic growth factor uptake and release. The uptake efficiency of the PEC method is: NELL-1: 86.7 ± 2.7%, BMP-2: 70.5 ± 3.1%. The PEC carrier has a better modulation of NELL-1 (20%) release compared to a pure surface ad.......
We have no conflict of interest.
These studies were funded by National Medical Research Council Clinician Scientist - Individual Research Grant (CS-IRG) NMRC/CIRG/1372/2013 and NMRC EDG/0022/2008.
....Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
Life Science Acrodisc 25mm Syring Filter w/0.2 µm Supor Membrane | PALL | PN4612 | Sterile protamine, heparin solution by ultrafiltration |
24 well plate | Cell Star | 662160 | |
96 well plate Nuclon Delta Surface | Thermo Fisher Scientific | 167008 | |
(3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide), MTT | Sigma Aldrich | M5655 | Measure cytotoxicity of PEC-NELL-1 |
Acetone | Fisher Scientific | A/0600/17 | Precipitate CF-405 Labelled protamine |
Alamar Blue | Invitrogen, Life Technologies | DAL 1025 | Measure cytotoxicity of PEC-BMP-2 |
Alkaline Phosphatase Assay (ALP) assay kit | Anaspec | AS-72146 | |
Ammonium Chloride | Merck | Art 1145 | Stop reagent in FITC labelling |
Anhydrous Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | Invitrogen, Life Technologies | D12345 | Solvent for fluorescent isothiocyanate I |
Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | Sigma Aldrich | Dissolve formazan | |
Autoclave | Hirayama | HU-110 | Sterilize alginate beads by steam |
Beta-glycerophosphate | Sigma Aldrich | G9422 | |
BMP-2 (Infuse Bone Graft Large II Kit) | Medtronic Sofarmor Danek, Memphis TN, USA | 7510800 | Osteogenic Growth Factor, dialysis is needed to remove stabilizer component that interferes with FITC coupling |
Carboxybenzoyl quinoline-2-Carboxaldehyde (CBQCA) | Thermo Fisher Scientific | A-6222 | To quantify NELL-1 protein |
Cell Strainer (100µm) | BD Science | 352360 | Hold PEC for ALP assay |
Cell Scraper 290mm Bladewide 20mm | SPL Life Science | 90030 | Detach the cell from 24 well plate |
CF 405S, Succinimidyl Ester | Sigma Aldrich | SCJ4600013 | Blue fluorescent dye for protamine labelling |
CF 594, Hydrazide | Sigma Aldrich | SCJ4600031 | Deep red fluorescent dye for heparin labelling |
Centrifuge | Beckman Coulter | Microfuge 22R | |
Confocal Microscope | Olympus | FV1000 | |
Dexamethasone | Sigma Aldrich | D4902 | Component of osteogenic growth medium |
Dextran Desalting Columns | Pierce (Thermo Scientific) | 43230 | |
DMEM | Gibco | 12320 | |
BMP-2 Quantikine ELISA Kit | R&D System | DBP200 | Determine BMP-2 release |
Fetal Bovine Serum FBS | Hyclone | SV30160.03 | |
Fluoescein Isothiocyananate, Isomer I | Sigma Aldrich | F7250 | Green fluorescent dye for NELL-1 and BMP-2 labelling |
ThinCert Cell Culture Inserts, For 24 Well plates, Sterile | Greiner | 662630 | Prevents PEC wash out when changing osteogenic medium |
Havard Appartus Syringe Pump (11 plus) | Havard Apparatus | 70-2208 | |
n-Hexane (>99%) | Sigma Aldrich | 139386 | |
Heparin | Sigma Aldrich | H3149 | Binds with osteogenic growth factor with heparin binding domain |
Hydrochloric acid (37%) | Merck | 100317 | Highly Corrosive |
Incubator | Binder | C8150 | |
MicroBCA Protein Assay kit | Thermoscientific | 23235 | |
Microplate Reader | Tecan | Infinite M200 | For ALP and microBCA assays |
NELL-1 | Aragen Bioscience Morgan Hill, CA, USA | N/A | Osteogenic growth factor, keep at -80˚C |
Nisco cell encapsulator | Nisco Engineering Inc | Encapsulation unit VAR V1 | |
Fluorescent Microscope | Olympus | IX71 | |
mPCL-TCP Scaffold (Pore size is 1.3mm) | Osteopore | PCL-TCP 0/90 | Hold PEC for in vivo study |
Penicillin-Streptomycin 10,000 unit/ml, 100ml | Hyclone Cell Culture | SV30010 | Antibiotic |
10X Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) | Vivantis | PB0344-1L | 10x Solution, Ultra Pure Grade |
Poly-L-Lysine MW 15,000-30,000 | Sigma Aldrich | P2568 | Polycation |
Protamine Sulfate salt, from Salmon | Sigma Aldrich | P4020 | Polycation |
Shaker | Labnet | S2025 | |
Snakeskin Dialysis Tubing 3,500 MWCO 22mm x 35 feet | Thermo Fisher Scientific | 68035 | Remove unreacted FITC by dialysis |
Sodium Chloride | Merck | 1.06404.1000 | |
Sodium Hydroxide | Qrec | S5158 | |
Sodium Bicarbonate | US Biological | S4000 | Buffer |
Sodium carbonate | Sigma Aldrich | S7795-500G | Buffer |
Strontium Chloride Hexahydrate | Sigma Aldrich | 255521 | Crosslinker for alginate |
Spatula | 3dia | ||
5ml syringe | Terumo | 140425R | Diameter of syringe affects the flow rate |
75cm2 Cell Culture Flask Canted Neck | Corning | 730720 | |
Toluidine Blue | Sigma Aldrich | 52040 | Heparin assay |
Trypsin 1X | Hyclone Cell Culture | SH30042.01 | |
Sodium alginate | Novamatrix (FMC Biopolymer, Princeton, NJ) | Pronova UPMVG | Core material of microbeads |
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