Article
Adipose cell-derived stem cells in a rat posterolateral spine fusion model
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Authors
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Ralf D. Rothoerl
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Isarklinikum München, Germany; Zentrum für Regenerative Medizin und Sportmedizin, Isarklinikum München, Germany
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Christopher Alt
- Zentrum für Regenerative Medizin und Sportmedizin, Isarklinikum München, Germany
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Eckhard Alt
- Zentrum für Regenerative Medizin und Sportmedizin, Isarklinikum München, Germany
| Published: | June 8, 2016 |
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Outline
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Objective: Recent interest has been directed toward adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), which have been utilized in stand-alone cell-based therapies for bone repair. Although rhBMPs have been used successfully to induce spinal fusion, unforeseen biological effects have been reported. Alternative tissue engineering strategies including cell-based therapies show a number of potential advantages and are therefore being explored. Aim of our study was to compare the bone-formation potential of stem cells derived from human fat when used with either rhBMP2 or as a cell-based therapy alone in a rat posterolateral spine fusion model.
Method: 30 rats, (age 12-16 weeks, 300-350g), were randomized into 3 different groups for this study. In group I collagen tissue (MatryStypt®) was implanted, in group II ADSCs were implanted on the collagen carrier. In group III, ADSCs cultured in 1 μg/mL of rhBMP-2 and osteogenic media were implanted. The rats were anesthetized. Adipose tissue was obtained from the inguinal fat and then prepared due to an InGeneron® protocol. After a posterior midline incision, two separate fascial incisions were made 4 mm from the midline and the transverse processes were then exposed. A high-speed burr was used to decorticate the transverse processes. Graft materials were saturated with a type-I collagen sponge and then implanted between the transverse processes bilaterally. Animals were housed in separate cages and allowed to eat, drink, and bear weight ad libitum. 6 weeks after treatment anteroposterior radiographs were made. Animals were sacrificed and subjected to manual testing. The harvested spines were evaluated for evidence of successful fusion by independent observers using a previously published scoring system. Furthermore histological analysis and micro CT was performed.
Results: All spines in Groups II and III (ADSCs, ADSCs+rhBMP2) were fused in the plain x-rays at six weeks postoperatively. In contrast, none of the spines in the group I (collagen alone) had fused according the plain X-rays. Furthermore solid fusion according to the motion test, histology and micro CT occurred in Group II and III but not in Group I.
Conclusions: The present study suggests that ADSCs induce the formation of new bone in experimental spinal fusion alone without the need for rhBMP-2.
