Biochernila with genes

Natural healing processes occur in the presence of certain chemicals that regulate regeneration. To speed up the restoration of bone defects, a group of engineers from the University of Pennsylvania has developed an algorithm for bioprinting osteogenic ink containing genes encoding two growth factors. Ibrahim Ozbolat and his colleagues used a gene encoding platelet growth factor PDGF-B, which stimulates cell reproduction and migration, and a gene encoding bone morphogenetic protein BMP-2, which accelerates bone regeneration. They injected both genes into the injury site as part of the biochernil.

The researchers embedded the DNA of growth factors into plasmids – ring DNA that can carry genetic information. They penetrate into the progenitor cells, and the production of appropriate proteins begins to enhance the growth of bone tissue.

To evaluate the effectiveness of non-vector gene therapy, the researchers applied bio-ink with plasmids to the trepanation hole in the skull of rats using a device similar to an inkjet printer. The expression of the gene encoding PDGF-B lasted 10 days, and the BMP-2 gene worked continuously for five weeks.

Rats treated with osteogenic biochernils showed 90% coverage of the bone defect after six weeks, compared to 25% in untreated rats.

The authors attribute the effectiveness of the method to the fact that it prolongs the production of necessary growth factors, which are depleted over time in conditions of natural healing.

Article by K.K.Moncal et al. Controlled Co-delivery of pPDGF-B and pBMP-2 from intraoperatively bioprinted bone constructs improves the repair of calvarian defects in rats is published in the journal Biomaterials.

Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on materials from Pennsylvania State University: Bioprinting for bone repair improved with genes.