Osteogain® loaded onto an absorbable collagen sponge induces attachment and osteoblast differentiation of ST2 cells in vitro.

OBJECTIVES

Dimensional changes of the alveolar bone following tooth extraction are a major challenge in daily dental practice. To limit bone loss, a variety of biomaterials including bone grafts, barrier membranes, and growth factors have been utilized either alone or in combination therapies to increase the speed and quality of new bone formation. The aim of the present in vitro study was to investigate the regenerative potential of Osteogain®, a new liquid carrier system of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) in combination with an absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) specifically designed for extraction socket healing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The potential of ACS was first investigated using ELISA to quantify total amelogenin adsorption and release from 0 to 10 days. Thereafter, the cellular effects of ST2 pre-osteoblasts were investigated for cellular attachment at 8 h and cell proliferation at 1, 3, and 5 days as well as osteoblast differentiation by real-time PCR and alizarin red staining for cells seeded on (1) tissue culture plastic, (2) ACS alone, and (3) ACS + Osteogain®.

RESULTS

ACS efficiently loaded nearly 100% of the amelogenin proteins found in Osteogain® which were gradually released up to a 10-day period. Osteogain® also significantly induced a 1.5-fold increase in cell attachment and resulted in a 2-6-fold increase in mRNA levels of osteoblast differentiation markers including runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), collagen1a2, alkaline phosphatase, and bone sialoprotein as well as induced alizarin red staining when combined with ACS.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, these findings suggest that Osteogain® is capable of inducing osteoblast attachment and differentiation when combined with ACS. Future animal studies and randomized human clinical trials are necessary to further support these findings.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The use of Osteogain® in combination with ACS may provide a valuable means to limit dimensional changes following tooth extraction.