Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Binding and Incorporation in PLGA Microsphere Delivery Systems

Abstract

The objective of this research was to determine the binding capacity and kinetics, and total incorporation of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in microspheres made from hydrophilic and hydrophobic poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA). Polymers were characterized by molecular weight, polydispersity, and acid number. Microspheres were produced via a water-in-oil-in-water double emulsion system and characterized for bulk density, size, specific surface area, and porosity. Protein concentrations were determined by reversed phase HPLC. Protein was loaded by soaking microspheres in a buffered solution, pH 4.5, of rhBMP-2, decanting excess liquid, and vacuum drying the wetted particles. Total loading and binding were determined by comparing protein concentration remaining to non-microsphere containing samples. Polymer acid number was the dominant polymer feature affecting the binding. Higher acid values correlated with increased rhBMP-2 binding. The amount of non-bound incorporated rhBMP-2 linearly correlated with the concentration of protein used in binding. High rhBMP-2 concentrations inhibit binding to PLGA microspheres. Binding was also inhibited by increased lactide content in the PLGA polymer. The polymer characteristics controlling rhBMP-2 binding to PLGA microspheres are acid value foremost followed by molecular weight and lactide/glycolide ratio. The total amount of rhBMP-2 incorporated depends on the bound amount and on the amount of free protein present.

Keywords:

• Bone morphogenetic protein-2
• PLGA microspheres
• Controlled delivery
• Protein binding
• Protein loading