Periodontal tissue engineering by nano beta-tricalcium phosphate scaffold and fibroblast growth factor-2 in one-wall infrabony defects of dogs.

Background and Objective Nanoparticle bioceramics are being investigated for biomedical applications. We fabricated a regenerative scaffold comprising type I collagen and beta-tricalcium phosphate (β- TCP) nanoparticles. Fibroblast growth factor-2 ( FGF-2) is a bioeffective signaling molecule that stimulates cell proliferation and wound healing. This study examined the effects, on bioactivity, of a nano-β- TCP/collagen scaffold loaded with FGF-2, particularly on periodontal tissue wound healing. Material and Methods Beta-tricalcium phosphate was pulverized into nanosize particles (84 nm) and was then dispersed. A nano-β- TCP scaffold was prepared by coating the surface of a collagen scaffold with a nanosize β- TCP dispersion. Scaffolds were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, compressive testing, cell seeding and rat subcutaneous implant testing. Then, nano-β- TCP scaffold, nano-β- TCP scaffold loaded with FGF-2 and noncoated collagen scaffold were implanted into a dog one-wall infrabony defect model. Histological observations were made at 10 d and 4 wk postsurgery. Results Scanning electron microscopy images show that TCP nanoparticles were attached to collagen fibers. The nano-β- TCP scaffold showed higher compressive strength and cytocompatibility compared with the noncoated collagen scaffold. Rat subcutaneous implant tests showed that the DNA contents of infiltrating cells in the nano-β- TCP scaffold and the FGF-2-loaded scaffold were approximately 2.8-fold and 3.7-fold greater, respectively, than in the collagen scaffold. Histological samples from the periodontal defect model showed about five-fold greater periodontal tissue repair following implantation of the nano-β- TCP scaffold loaded with FGF-2 compared with the collagen scaffold. Conclusion The β- TCP nanoparticle coating strongly improved the collagen scaffold bioactivity. Nano-β- TCP scaffolds containing FGF-2 are anticipated for use in periodontal tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]