A comparison of gene modified cells and protein for spinal fusion

Objective To evaluate the induction of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)infected with BMP-2-containing adenovirus for spinal fusion in rats, comparing to commercially available BMP-2 protein. Methods There were five groups for rats' spinal fusion model. BMSCs infected with Ad-BMP-2 were implanted in the group Ⅰ . BMSCs infected with Ad-LacZ were implanted in the group Ⅱ.BMP-2 proteins were implanted in the group Ⅲ. Uninfected BMSCs were implanted in the Group Ⅳ. Collagen sponges alone were implanted in the group Ⅴ. Eight weeks later, the rats were killed, and their spine samples were assessed by radiographs, manual palpation, MicoCT, and histological analysis. Results Radiographic evaluation, MicoCT, manual palpation and histological analysis revealed spinal fusion in all the rats in groups Ⅰ and Ⅲ. The new bone in the group Ⅰ was significantly increased as compared with that in the group Ⅱ. None of the rats in the control groups developed fusion. Conclusion BMSCs carrying BMP-2 induced sufficient spinal fusion more significantly than BMP-2 protein. Key words: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells;  Bone morphogenetic protein;  Spine fusion;  Gene