The faculties of two universities, the Department of Musculoskeletal Science at the University of Southampton and the University of Edinburgh’s School of Chemistry, both in the UK, joined forces to develop a polymer implant using stem cells. The research was intended to find ways to extend the time an implant, such a hip replacement joint, can survive. The researchers found that their material promoted effective bone regrowth around an implant and they published their findings in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
Plastics + Stem Cells Regrow Bone
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“Several of the blend materials were found to be excellent supports for human bone marrow-derived skeletal cells and foetal skeletal cells, with the optimized blend exhibiting in vivo osteogenic potential, ” the authors wrote, “suggesting that these polymer blends could act as suitable matrices for bioengineering of hard tissues”.
The material they used, made from three different plastics, was built into a 3D honeycomb pattern to act as scaffolding for the bone stem cells. Tiny holes in the material permitted blood flow, feeding the stem cells which attached themselves all around the structure to form new bone.
“Fractures and bone loss due to trauma or disease are a significant clinical and socioeconomic problem, ” said Richard Oreffo of the University of Southampton. “This collaboration between chemistry and medicine has identified unique candidate materials that support human bone stem cell growth and allow bone formation.”
In 2010 Paul Wooley of the Centre of Innovation for Biomaterials in Orthopaedic Research regrew bone inside a mammal’s leg using a porous composite material similar to the honeycomb now being used. According to Wooley, bone and blood vessels grew around and through the material in six weeks. It could, he claimed, mean the prevention of countless amputations.
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This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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