BMP-2 gene modified tissue-engineered bone repairing segmental tibial bone defects in goats

To evaluate the effectiveness of the tissue-engineered bone substitute loaded with adenovirus mediated human bone morphogenetic protein-2 gene (Adv-hBMP-2) transfected bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) in the repair of diaphyseal segmental bone defect of large animal. The right tibial bone defects (2.6 cm) model of 26 goats were established and divided into 5 groups: I. Adv-hBMP-2 transfected BMSC/calcined bone (CB) group (n = 9); II. adenovirus-beta-galactosidase (Adv-betagal) gene transfected BMSC/CB group (n = 6); III. untransfected BMSC/CB group (n = 6); IV. single CB group (n = 3); VI. untreated group (n = 2). The above tissue-engineered bone substitutes were implanted in the bone defects respectively except group VI. Roentgenography, histomorphometrical analysis and biomechanical measurement were studied at various times. X-ray: at 4 - 8th weeks after implantation, more bony callus was found in the bone defects of group I. The complete healing rates of group I, II, III, IV, and V were 5/