Enhanced osteoinductivity of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in combination with epidermal growth factor in a rabbit tibial defect model

Abstract

This study aims to explore the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) on bone formation when treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and a rabbit tibial defect model. The rhBMP-2 (250 ng/ml)+EGF (10 ng/ml) group showed higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, ALP expression, increased calcium amount than rhBMP-2 group. In micro-CT and histology results of animal experiments, the rhBMP-2+EGF group showed more amount of bone bridging compared to the rhBMP-2 group. Among the 8-week groups, the rhBMP-2+EGF group showed significantly higher percent bone volume and trabecular number compared to the rhBMP-2 group. The combined treatment with EGF and rhBMP-2 induced significantly higher bone formation compared to that of rhBMP-2 only in both hMSCs and a rabbit tibial defect model. Therefore, EGF is expected to facilitate bone formation effect of rhBMP-2 when both factors are treated in combination.

• Bone morphogenetic protein-2
• epidermal growth factor
• osteogenesis
• synergy

Declaration of interest

This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (2013R1A1A2061858). No benefits in any form have been or will be received from a professional and financial affiliations related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.