Mesenchymal stem cells from reaming material possess high osteogenic potential and react sensitively to bone morphogenetic protein 7

Femoral material harvested using the Reamer-Irrigator-Aspirator (RIA) system is an alternative source for autogenous bone material in the treatment of non-unions, especially in combination with bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP). So far, there is no in vivo evidence of BMP-7 interacting with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from RIA material (RIA-MSCs) and iliac crest autogenous bone (BMSCs). The aim of this study was to compare their osteogenic potential when stimulated with BMP-7 in vivo.

RIA-MSC and BMSC from 11 donors were isolated and the character of MSCs was investigated in vitro. Constructs consisting of MSC, β-tricalcium phosphate and 2 concentrations of BMP-7 (0.1 µg/mL and 1 µg/mL) were implanted in mice for 8 weeks. Bone formation in the constructs was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively.

All cell populations used were determined to be MSCs. The qualitative in vivo analysis showed formation of bone tissue. With regard to quantity, bone formation was significantly higher in RIA constructs without or with stimulation with 0.1 µg/mL BMP-7, compared with BMSC constructs. We found no significant differences between constructs stimulated with 1 µg/mL BMP-7. In the RIA group, we observed a significant increase in bone formation after stimulation with 0.1 µg/mL BMP-7. No significant change could be found using a higher concentration. In the BMSC group, we detected a significant increase when using 0.1 µg/mL and 1 µg/mL BMP-7.

RIA material is a source of MSCs with high osteogenic potential. Our results showed that stimulation by BMP-7 leads to an increased osteogenic potential of MSCs. In this respect, RIA-MSCs reacted more sensitively than BMSCs.