BMP-2 gene delivery in cell-loaded and cell-free constructs for bone regeneration
Fig 1
Plasmid retention and transgene expression in vitro.
A) Vector maps of the pGFP and pBMP-2. B) In vitro plasmid DNA release over 14 days from constructs consisting of BCP scaffold, alginate hydrogel and pBMP-2. Initial loading concentration was 100 μg/ml. Data are shown from a single experiment (technical triplicate), which was repeated with similar results. C) Microscopic images of pGFP transfected MSCs as well as fibroblasts after 7 days incubation in alginate. Transfection efficiency was 21 ± 4% for the MSC group and 16 ± 3% fibroblasts group (controls not shown). Representative images are shown for two individual experiments. Scale bar = 200 μm. D) BMP-2 protein release from constructs containing MSCs and fibroblasts transfected with pBMP-2 (100 μg/ml) and empty control DNA at day 7. Results represent mean ± SD of technical triplicates, the experiment was repeated with similar results. * = p < 0. 05. Original data of graph B and D can be found in Supporting information S1 and S2 Data.