Regenerative surgery in cranioplasty revisited: the role of adipose-derived stem cells and BMP-2.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of the pediatric calvaria is frequently complicated by a shortage of bone. This problem is most apparent between 2 and 10 years of age, when the osteogenic potential of the dura is diminished and the diploic space has not matured to the point that split-thickness calvarial grafting is practical. In this article, the authors evaluate and compare the relative efficacy of adipose-derived stem cells, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2, and adipose-derived stem cells osteoinduced with BMP-2 in addressing these defects.
METHODS: Cranial defects measuring 15×15 mm were created in New Zealand White rabbits. Five treatment modalities were compared: no repair (surgical control); untreated acellular collagen sponge (vehicle control); BMP-2 on acellular collagen sponge; adipose-derived stem cells on acellular collagen sponge; and osteoinduced adipose-derived stem cells on acellular collagen sponge. Osteogenesis was assessed with radiology and histology. Statistical significance was determined by analysis of variance.
RESULTS: No significant difference in osseous healing was observed among empty controls (32.8 percent), acellular collagen sponge alone (34.4 percent), adipose-derived stem cells on acellular collagen sponge (33.9 percent), and osteoinduced adipose-derived stem cells on acellular collagen sponge (40.2 percent). Defects reconstructed with recombinant human BMP-2/acellular collagen sponge were on average 96.9 percent ossified, significantly (p<0.05) more than the defects in all other groups.
CONCLUSIONS: BMP-2-based tissue engineering is a viable approach to craniofacial reconstruction. Adipose-derived stem cells did not significantly augment this process as modeled here. Advances in the understanding of craniofacial biology, and of protein- and cell-based therapies, will enhance the efficacy of tissue-engineering strategies for this problem in the future.