Jeffrey Bonadio

DNA delivery from polymer matrices for tissue engineering.

We have proposed engineering tissues by the incorporation and sustained release of plasmids encoding tissue-inductive proteins from polymer matrices. Matrices of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) were loaded with plasmid, which was subsequently released over a period ranging from days to a month in vitro. Sustained delivery of plasmid DNA from matrices led to the transfection of large numbers of cells. Furthermore, in vivo delivery of a plasmid encoding platelet-derived growth factor enhanced matrix deposition and blood vessel formation in the developing tissue. This contrasts with direct injection of the plasmid, which did not significantly affect tissue formation. This method of DNA delivery may find utility in tissue engineering and gene therapy applications.

Localized, direct plasmid gene delivery in vivo: prolonged therapy results in reproducible tissue regeneration.

The inability to deliver growth factors locally in a transient but sustained manner is a substantial barrier to tissue regeneration. Systems capable of localized plasmid gene delivery for prolonged times may offer lower toxicity and should be well-suited for growth factor therapeutics. We investigated the potency of plasmid gene delivery from genes physically entrapped in a polymer matrix (gene activated matrix) using bone regeneration as the endpoint in vivo. Implantation of gene activated matrices at sites of bone injury was associated with retention and expression of plasmid DNA for at least 6 weeks, and with the induction of centimeters of normal new bone in a stable, reproducible, dose- and time-dependent manner.

Targeted disruption of the biglycan gene leads to an osteoporosis-like phenotype in mice

The resilience and strength of bone is due to the orderly mineralization of a specialized extracellular matrix (ECM) composed of type I collagen (90%) and a host of non-collagenous proteins that are, in general, also found in other tissues. Biglycan (encoded by the gene Bgn) is an ECM proteoglycan that is enriched in bone and other non-skeletal connective tissues. In vitro studies indicate that Bgn may function in connective tissue metabolism by binding to collagen fibrils and TGF-ß (Refs 5,6), and may promote neuronal survival. To study the role of Bgn in vivo, we generated Bgn-deficient mice. Although apparently normal at birth, these mice display a phenotype characterized by a reduced growth rate and decreased bone mass due to the absence of Bgn. To our knowledge, this is the first report in which deficiency of a non-collagenous ECM protein leads to a skeletal phenotype that is marked by low bone mass that becomes more obvious with age. These mice may serve as an animal model to study the role of ECM proteins in osteoporosis.

Cyclic mechanical strain regulates the development of engineered smooth muscle tissue

We show that the appropriate combinations of mechanical stimuli and polymeric scaffolds can enhance the mechanical properties of engineered tissues. The mechanical properties of tissues engineered from cells and polymer scaffolds are significantly lower than the native tissues they replace. We hypothesized that application of mechanical stimuli to engineered tissues would alter their mechanical properties. Smooth muscle tissue was engineered on two different polymeric scaffolds and subjected to cyclic mechanical strain. Short-term application of strain increased proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and expression of collagen and elastin, but only when SMCs were adherent to specific scaffolds. Long-term application of cyclic strain upregulated elastin and collagen gene expression and led to increased organization in tissues. This resulted in more than an order of magnitude increase in the mechanical properties of the tissues.

Transplantation of transduced chondrocytes protects articular cartilage from interleukin 1-induced extracellular matrix degradation.

Gene therapy used in the context of delivering a therapeutic gene(s) to chondrocytes offers a new approach for treating chondrocyte-mediated cartilage degradation associated with various human arthropathies including osteoarthritis. In this study, gene delivery to human osteoarthritis chondrocytes in monolayer culture was demonstrated using two adenoviral vectors (Ad.CMVlacZ and Ad.RSVntlacZ) carrying the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase marker gene, and a third vector (Ad.RSV hIL-1ra) containing the cDNA for human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. At an moi of 10(3) plaque-forming units/chondrocyte, > 90% of the infected cells stained positive for E. coli beta-galactosidase activity, indicating a high efficiency of transduction. Genetically modified chondrocytes were then transplanted onto the articular surface of osteoarthritic cartilage organ cultures with and without the underlying subchondral bone. Both in situ staining of the cartilage organ cultures for E. coli beta-galactosidase activity and examination by scanning electron microscopy indicated that the transplanted chondrocytes adhered and integrated into the articular surface and continued to express transgenic protein. Chondrocytes transduced with Ad.RSV hIL-1ra and seeded onto the surface of osteoarthritic cartilage secreted high levels of biologically active IL-1 receptor antagonist. The Ad.RSV hIL-1ra-treated cartilage samples were resistant to IL1-induced proteoglycan degradation over 10 d of sustained organ culture. These data demonstrate that transplantation of transduced chondrocytes onto the articular surface protects cartilage from IL-1-induced extracellular matrix degradation.

Tissue engineering via local gene delivery:: Update and future prospects for enhancing the technology

This review describes the status of a local plasmid-based gene transfer technology known as the gene activated matrix (GAM). Studies over the past 6 years suggest that GAM may serve as a platform technology for local gene delivery in the wound bed of various tissues and organs. These studies demonstrated that plasmid encoding genes can be delivered to acutely injured tendon, ligament, bone, muscle, skin and nerve. Moreover, direct in vivo transfer of therapeutic plasmid encoding genes in bone, skin and nerve was associated with a significant regenerative response relative to sham controls. The review also describes new technology that should enhance the potential of local gene delivery in a manner consistent with the risk-benefit profile associated with tissue engineering applications.

Type I collagen mutation alters the strength and fatigue behavior of Mov13 cortical tissue

Despite advances in understanding the molecular basis of Osteogenesis Imperfecta, the mechanisms by which type I collagen mutations compromise whole bone function are not well understood. Previously, we have shown that a heterozygous type I collagen mutation is associated with increased brittleness of long bones from Mov13 transgenic mice, a model of the mild form of Osteogenesis Imperfecta. In the current study, we investigated tissue-level damage processes by testing the hypothesis that the fatigue properties of Mov13 tissue were significantly compromised relative to littermate controls. We also quantified tissue structure and mineral content to explain variations in the fatigue behavior. Micro-beam specimens were machined from the anterior and posterior quadrants of Mov13 and control femurs and subjected to cyclic bending at one of four stress levels. Mov13 tissue exhibited a 22-25% reduction in tissue bending strength and a similar reductions in fatigue life and the stress level at which damage was apparent. These results provided tissue-level evidence that damage accumulation mechanisms were significantly compromised in Mov13 cortical tissue. Given that significant alterations in tissue structure were observed in Mov13 femurs, the results of this study support the idea that Mov13 femurs were brittle because alterations in tissue structure associated with the mutation interfered with normal damage processes. These results provide new insight into the pathogenesis of Osteogenesis Imperfecta and are consistent with bone behaving as a damaging composite material, where damage accumulation is central to bone fracture.

A murine skeletal adaptation that significantly increases cortical bone mechanical properties. Implications for human skeletal fragility.

Mov13 mice carry a provirus that prevents transcription initiation of the alpha 1(I) collagen gene. Mutant mice homozygous for the null mutation produce no type I collagen and die at mid-gestation, whereas heterozygotes survive to adulthood. Dermal fibroblasts from heterozygous mice produce approximately 50% less type I collagen than normal littermates, and the partial deficiency in collagen production results in a phenotype similar to osteogenesis imperfecta type I (an inherited form of skeletal fragility). In this study, we have identified an adaptation of Mov13 skeletal tissue that significantly improves the bending strength of long bone. The adaptive response occurred over a 2-mo period, during which time a small number of newly proliferated osteogenic cells produced a significant amount of matrix components and thus generated new bone along periosteal surfaces. New bone deposition resulted in a measurable increase in cross-sectional geometry which, in turn, led to a dramatic increase in long bone bending strength.

Gene therapy for tissue repair and regeneration.

This review presents a current overview of the discipline of human gene therapy. In addition, a gene therapy method is described in which plasmid genes are transferred from a structural matrix carrier into fresh wound sites so as to enhance tissue repair and regeneration. The potential to develop a gene therapy for bone regeneration is discussed in detail.

Spatial distribution of phosphate species in mature and newly generated Mammalian bone by hyperspectral Raman imaging.

Hyperspectral Raman images of mineral components of trabecular and cortical bone at 3 μm spatial resolution are presented. Contrast is generated from Raman spectra acquired over the 600-1400 cm-1 Raman shift range. Factor analysis on the ensemble of Raman spectra is used to generate descriptors of mineral components. In trabecular bone independent phosphate (PO4-3) and monohydrogen phosphate (HPO4-2) factors are observed. Phosphate and monohydrogen phosphate gradients extend from trabecular packets into the interior of a rod. The gradients are sharply defined in newly regenerated bone. There, HPO4-2 content maximizes near a trabecular packet and decreases to a minimum value over as little as a 20 μm distance. Incomplete mineralization is clearly visible. In cortical bone, factor analysis yields only a single mineral factor containing both PO4-3 and HPO4-2 signatures and this implies uniform distribution of these ions in the region imaged. Uniform PO4-3 and HPO4-2 distribution is verified by spectral band integration.