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Cottrill E, Pennington Z, Sattah N, Jing C, Salven D, Johnson E, Downey M, Varghese S, Rocos B, Richardson W. Gene Therapy and Spinal Fusion: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Available Data. World Neurosurg 2024; 186:219-234.e4. [PMID: 38583566 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.03.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the extant literature describing the application of gene therapy to spinal fusion. METHODS A systematic review of the English-language literature was performed. The search query was designed to include all published studies examining gene therapy approaches to promote spinal fusion. Approaches were classified as ex vivo (delivery of genetically modified cells) or in vivo (delivery of growth factors via vectors). The primary endpoint was fusion rate. Random effects meta-analyses were performed to calculate the overall odds ratio (OR) of fusion using a gene therapy approach and overall fusion rate. Subgroup analyses of fusion rate were also performed for each gene therapy approach. RESULTS Of 1179 results, 35 articles met criteria for inclusion (all preclinical), of which 26 utilized ex vivo approaches and 9 utilized in vivo approaches. Twenty-seven articles (431 animals) were included in the meta-analysis. Gene therapy use was associated with significantly higher fusion rates (OR 77; 95% confidence interval {CI}: [31, 192]; P < 0.001); ex vivo strategies had a greater effect (OR 136) relative to in vivo strategies (OR 18) (P = 0.017). The overall fusion rate using a gene therapy approach was 80% (95% CI: [62%, 93%]; P < 0.001); overall fusion rates were significantly higher in subjects treated with ex vivo compared to in vivo strategies (90% vs. 42%; P = 0.011). For both ex vivo and in vivo approaches, the effect of gene therapy on fusion was independent of animal model. CONCLUSIONS Gene therapy may augment spinal fusion; however, future investigation in clinical populations is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Cottrill
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | | | - Nathan Sattah
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Crystal Jing
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Dave Salven
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Eli Johnson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Max Downey
- Department of Surgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Shyni Varghese
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Brett Rocos
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - William Richardson
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
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Ball JR, Shelby T, Hernandez F, Mayfield CK, Lieberman JR. Delivery of Growth Factors to Enhance Bone Repair. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1252. [PMID: 38002376 PMCID: PMC10669014 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10111252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The management of critical-sized bone defects caused by nonunion, trauma, infection, malignancy, pseudoarthrosis, and osteolysis poses complex reconstruction challenges for orthopedic surgeons. Current treatment modalities, including autograft, allograft, and distraction osteogenesis, are insufficient for the diverse range of pathology encountered in clinical practice, with significant complications associated with each. Therefore, there is significant interest in the development of delivery vehicles for growth factors to aid in bone repair in these settings. This article reviews innovative strategies for the management of critical-sized bone loss, including novel scaffolds designed for controlled release of rhBMP, bioengineered extracellular vesicles for delivery of intracellular signaling molecules, and advances in regional gene therapy for sustained signaling strategies. Improvement in the delivery of growth factors to areas of significant bone loss has the potential to revolutionize current treatment for this complex clinical challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob R. Ball
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 1500 San Pablo St., Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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Damle SR, Krzyzanowska AK, Korsun MK, Morse KW, Gilbert S, Kim HJ, Boachie-Adjei O, Rawlins BA, van der Meulen MCH, Greenblatt MB, Hidaka C, Cunningham ME. Inducing Angiogenesis in the Nucleus Pulposus. Cells 2023; 12:2488. [PMID: 37887332 PMCID: PMC10605635 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) gene delivery to Lewis rat lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDs) drives bone formation anterior and external to the IVD, suggesting the IVD is inhospitable to osteogenesis. This study was designed to determine if IVD destruction with a proteoglycanase, and/or generating an IVD blood supply by gene delivery of an angiogenic growth factor, could render the IVD permissive to intra-discal BMP-driven osteogenesis and fusion. Surgical intra-discal delivery of naïve or gene-programmed cells (BMP2/BMP7 co-expressing or VEGF165 expressing) +/- purified chondroitinase-ABC (chABC) in all permutations was performed between lumbar 4/5 and L5/6 vertebrae, and radiographic, histology, and biomechanics endpoints were collected. Follow-up anti-sFlt Western blotting was performed. BMP and VEGF/BMP treatments had the highest stiffness, bone production and fusion. Bone was induced anterior to the IVD, and was not intra-discal from any treatment. chABC impaired BMP-driven osteogenesis, decreased histological staining for IVD proteoglycans, and made the IVD permissive to angiogenesis. A soluble fragment of VEGF Receptor-1 (sFlt) was liberated from the IVD matrix by incubation with chABC, suggesting dysregulation of the sFlt matrix attachment is a possible mechanism for the chABC-mediated IVD angiogenesis we observed. Based on these results, the IVD can be manipulated to foster vascular invasion, and by extension, possibly osteogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheela R. Damle
- HSS Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, 515 E 71st Street, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Agata K. Krzyzanowska
- HSS Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, 515 E 71st Street, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Maximilian K. Korsun
- HSS Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, 515 E 71st Street, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Kyle W. Morse
- HSS Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, 515 E 71st Street, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Susannah Gilbert
- HSS Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, 515 E 71st Street, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Han Jo Kim
- HSS Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, 515 E 71st Street, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Oheneba Boachie-Adjei
- HSS Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, 515 E 71st Street, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Bernard A. Rawlins
- HSS Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, 515 E 71st Street, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Marjolein C. H. van der Meulen
- HSS Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, 515 E 71st Street, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering and Sibley School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | | | - Chisa Hidaka
- HSS Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, 515 E 71st Street, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Belfer Gene Therapy Core Facility, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Matthew E. Cunningham
- HSS Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, 515 E 71st Street, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
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4
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Cunningham ME, Kelly NH, Rawlins BA, Boachie-Adjei O, van der Meulen MCH, Hidaka C. Lumbar spine intervertebral disc gene delivery of BMPs induces anterior spine fusion in lewis rats. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16847. [PMID: 36207369 PMCID: PMC9547004 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21208-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Minimally invasive techniques and biological autograft alternatives such as the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) can reduce morbidity associated with spinal fusions. This study was a proof-of-concept for gene-therapy-mediated anterior spine fusion that could be adapted to percutaneous technique for clinical use. Isogeneic bone marrow stromal cells genetically programmed to express b-galactosidase (LACZ, a marker gene), BMP2, BMP7, a mixture of BMP2 and BMP7 infected cells (homodimers, HM), or BMP2/7 heterodimers (HT) were implanted into the discs between lumbar vertebrae 4 and 5 (L4/5) and L5/6 of male Lewis rats. Spine stiffening was monitored at 4, 8 and 12 weeks using noninvasive-induced angular displacement (NIAD) testing. At 12 weeks isolated spines were assessed for fusion and bone formation by palpation, biomechanical testing [four-point bending stiffness, moment to failure in extension, and in vitro angular displacement (IVAD)], faxitron x-rays, microCT, and histology. Progressive loss of NIAD occurred in only the HT group (p < 0.001), and biomechanical tests correlated with the NIAD results. Significant fusion occurred only in the HT group (94% of animals with one or both levels) as assessed by palpation (p < 0.001), which predicted HT bone production assessed by faxitron (p ≤ 0.001) or microCT (p < 0.023). Intervertebral bridging bone was consistently observed only in HT-treated specimens. Induced bone was located anterior and lateral to the disc space, with no bone formation noted within the disc. Percutaneous anterior spine fusions may be possible clinically, but induction of bone inside the disc space remains a challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E Cunningham
- HSS Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, 515 E 71st Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA. .,Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Lc501, New York, NY, 10065, USA. .,Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
| | - Natalie H Kelly
- HSS Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, 515 E 71st Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Bernard A Rawlins
- HSS Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, 515 E 71st Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA.,Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Lc501, New York, NY, 10065, USA.,Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Oheneba Boachie-Adjei
- HSS Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, 515 E 71st Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA.,Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Lc501, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Marjolein C H van der Meulen
- HSS Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, 515 E 71st Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA.,Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering and Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Chisa Hidaka
- HSS Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, 515 E 71st Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA
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Spinal fusion in the next generation: gene and cell therapy approaches. ScientificWorldJournal 2014; 2014:406159. [PMID: 24672316 PMCID: PMC3927763 DOI: 10.1155/2014/406159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone fusion represents a challenge in the orthopedics practice, being especially indicated for spine disorders. Spinal fusion can be defined as the bony union between two vertebral bodies obtained through the surgical introduction of an osteoconductive, osteoinductive, and osteogenic compound. Autogenous bone graft provides all these three qualities and is considered the gold standard. However, a high morbidity is associated with the harvest procedure. Intensive research efforts have been spent during the last decades to develop new approaches and technologies for successful spine fusion. In recent years, cell and gene therapies have attracted great interest from the scientific community. The improved knowledge of both mesenchymal stem cell biology and osteogenic molecules allowed their use in regenerative medicine, representing attractive approaches to achieve bone regeneration also in spinal surgery applications. In this review we aim to describe the developing gene- and cell-based bone regenerative approaches as promising future trends in spine fusion.
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Evans NR, Davies EM, Dare CJ, Oreffo RO. Tissue engineering strategies in spinal arthrodesis: the clinical imperative and challenges to clinical translation. Regen Med 2013; 8:49-64. [PMID: 23259805 DOI: 10.2217/rme.12.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal disorders requiring the regeneration or de novo production of bone present considerable reconstructive challenges and are one of the main driving forces for the development of skeletal tissue engineering strategies. The skeletal or mesenchymal stem cell is a fundamental requirement for osteogenesis and plays a pivotal role in the design and application of these strategies. Research activity has focused on incorporating the biological role of the mesenchymal stem cell with the developing fields of material science and gene therapy in order to create a construct that is not only capable of inducing host osteoblasts to produce bone, but is also osteogenic in its own right. This review explores the clinical need for reparative approaches in spinal arthrodesis, identifying recent tissue engineering strategies employed to promote spinal fusion, and considers the ongoing challenges to successful clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick R Evans
- Bone & Joint Research Group, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells & Regeneration, Human Development & Health, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK.
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7
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Abstract
Gene delivery to bone is useful both as an experimental tool and as a potential therapeutic strategy. Among its advantages over protein delivery are the potential for directed, sustained and regulated expression of authentically processed, nascent proteins. Although no clinical trials have been initiated, there is a substantial pre-clinical literature documenting the successful transfer of genes to bone, and their intraosseous expression. Recombinant vectors derived from adenovirus, retrovirus and lentivirus, as well as non-viral vectors, have been used for this purpose. Both ex vivo and in vivo strategies, including gene-activated matrices, have been explored. Ex vivo delivery has often employed mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), partly because of their ability to differentiate into osteoblasts. MSCs also have the potential to home to bone after systemic administration, which could serve as a useful way to deliver transgenes in a disseminated fashion for the treatment of diseases affecting the whole skeleton, such as osteoporosis or osteogenesis imperfecta. Local delivery of osteogenic transgenes, particularly those encoding bone morphogenetic proteins, has shown great promise in a number of applications where it is necessary to regenerate bone. These include healing large segmental defects in long bones and the cranium, as well as spinal fusion and treating avascular necrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Evans
- Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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8
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Ishihara A, Bertone AL. Cell-mediated and direct gene therapy for bone regeneration. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2012; 12:411-23. [PMID: 22324829 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2012.661709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bone regeneration is required for the treatment of fracture non/delayed-unions and bone defects. However, most current treatment modalities have limited efficacy, and newer therapeutic strategies, such as gene therapy, have substantial benefit for bone repair and regeneration. AREAS COVERED This review discusses experimental and clinical applications of cell-mediated and direct gene therapy for bone regeneration. The review covers literature on this subject from 2000 to February 2012. EXPERT OPINION Direct gene therapy using various viral and non-viral vectors of cell-mediated genes has been demonstrated to induce bone regeneration, although use of such vectors has shown some risk in human application. Osteoinductive capability of a number of progenitor cells isolated from bone marrow, fat, muscle and skin tissues, has been demonstrated by genetic modification with osteogenic genes. Cell-mediated gene therapy using such osteogenic gene-expressing progenitor cells has shown promising results in promoting bone regeneration in extensive animal work in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akikazu Ishihara
- The Ohio State University, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Comparative Orthopedic Research Laboratories, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Salter E, Goh B, Hung B, Hutton D, Ghone N, Grayson WL. Bone Tissue Engineering Bioreactors: A Role in the Clinic? TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2012; 18:62-75. [DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2011.0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Erin Salter
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Brian Goh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ben Hung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daphne Hutton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nalinkanth Ghone
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Warren L. Grayson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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10
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Ferdinandov D, Tsekov I, Bussarsky V, Kalvatchev Z. Biotechnologies in the Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease of the Cervical Spine. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2012. [DOI: 10.5504/bbeq.2011.0136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Sheyn D, Rüthemann M, Mizrahi O, Kallai I, Zilberman Y, Tawackoli W, Kanim LEA, Zhao L, Bae H, Pelled G, Snedeker JG, Gazit D. Genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells induce mechanically stable posterior spine fusion. Tissue Eng Part A 2010; 16:3679-86. [PMID: 20618082 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2009.0786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Most spine fusion procedures involve the use of prosthetic fixation devices combined with autologous bone grafts rather than biological treatment. We had shown that spine fusion could be achieved by injection of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2)-expressing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into the paraspinal muscle. In this study, we hypothesized that posterior spinal fusion achieved using genetically modified MSCs would be mechanically comparable to that realized using a mechanical fixation. BMP-2-expressing MSCs were injected bilaterally into paravertebral muscles of the mouse lumbar spine. In one control group BMP-2 expression was inhibited. Microcomputed tomography and histological analyses were used to evaluate bone formation. For comparison, a group of mouse spines were bilaterally fused with stainless steel pins. The harvested spines were later tested using a custom four-point bending apparatus and structural bending stiffness was estimated. To assess the degree to which MSC vertebral fusion was targeted and to quantify the effects of fusion on adjacent spinal segments, images of the loaded spine curvature were analyzed to extract rigidity of the individual spinal segments. Bone bridging of the targeted vertebrae was observed in the BMP-2-expressing MSC group, whereas no bone formation was noted in any control group. The biomechanical tests showed that MSC-mediated spinal fusion was as effective as stainless steel pin-based fusion and significantly more rigid than the control groups. Local analysis showed that the distribution of stiffness in the MSC-based fusion group was similar to that in the steel pin fusion group, with the majority of spinal stiffness contributed by the targeted fusion at L3-L5. Our findings demonstrate that MSC-induced spinal fusion can convey biomechanical rigidity to a targeted segment that is comparable to that achieved using an instrumental fixation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dima Sheyn
- Skeletal Biotech Laboratory, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Diekman BO, Estes BT, Guilak F. The effects of BMP6 overexpression on adipose stem cell chondrogenesis: Interactions with dexamethasone and exogenous growth factors. J Biomed Mater Res A 2010; 93:994-1003. [PMID: 19722282 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.32589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are multipotent progenitors that can be chondrogenically induced by growth factors such as bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP-6). We hypothesized that nonviral transfection of a BMP-6 construct (pcDNA3-BMP6) would induce chondrogenic differentiation of ASCs encapsulated in alginate beads and that differentiation would be enhanced by the presence of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX) or the combination of epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1), collectively termed expansion factors (EFs). Chondrogenesis was assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for types I, II, and X collagen, aggrecan, and BMP6. Immunohistochemistry was performed with antibodies for types I, II, and X collagen and chondroitin-4-sulfate. BMP6 overexpression alone induced a moderate chondrogenic response. The inclusion of EFs promoted robust type II collagen expression but also increased type I and X collagen deposition, consistent with a hypertrophic chondrocyte phenotype. Early gene expression data indicated that DEX was synergistic with BMP-6 for chondrogenesis, but immunohistochemistry at 28 days showed that DEX reduced glycosaminoglycan accumulation. These results suggest that chondrogenic differentiation of ASCs depends on complex interactions among various growth factors and media supplements, as well as the concentration and duration of growth factor exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian O Diekman
- Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, 375 MSRB, Box 3093, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
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Gottfried ON, Dailey AT. Mesenchymal stem cell and gene therapies for spinal fusion. Neurosurgery 2009; 63:380-91; discussion 391-2. [PMID: 18812950 DOI: 10.1227/01.neu.0000324990.04818.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
THE IDEAL GRAFT material to promote spinal fusion should possess osteoconductive, osteoinductive, and osteogenic properties. Although autogenous bone graft has all three qualities and is the standard for comparison, research has focused on finding alternatives that have similar efficacy but not the morbidities associated with graft donor sites. Efforts have focused on various osteoconductive scaffolds and introduction of osteoinductive proteins, including bone morphogenetic protein. Recently, interest in using osteoprogenitor cells, or osteogenesis, for spinal fusion has increased. Bone marrow aspiration allows the introduction of mesenchymal stem cells and ultimately osteoblasts to promote fusion. Preclinical studies suggest that the addition of osteoprogenitor cells to various osteoconductive materials results in a fusion rate similar to that of autograft. There is growing recognition that local gene therapy has the benefit of delivering therapeutic genes that encode novel osteoinductive proteins. Gene delivery offers an alternative to local implantation of recombinant protein, which typically requires high doses of the protein to result in a sufficient osteoinductive response. The findings of animal studies demonstrate that gene therapy results in sustained and regulated production of desired osteoinductive proteins and is efficacious in promoting spinal fusion; however, before treatment in humans can be undertaken, obstacles such as the safety profile, host immune response, transfection rates with insufficient transgene expression, and imprecise control of the timing of transgene expression must be overcome. In this review, the authors summarize the latest research efforts under way to promote spinal fusion with osteoprogenitor cells and gene therapy and discuss the clinical implications of these treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oren N Gottfried
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA.
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Evans CH, Ghivizzani SC, Robbins PD. Orthopedic gene therapy in 2008. Mol Ther 2009; 17:231-44. [PMID: 19066598 PMCID: PMC2835052 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2008.265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2008] [Accepted: 10/26/2008] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Orthopedic disorders, although rarely fatal, are the leading cause of morbidity and impose a huge socioeconomic burden. Their prevalence will increase dramatically as populations age and gain weight. Many orthopedic conditions are difficult to treat by conventional means; however, they are good candidates for gene therapy. Clinical trials have already been initiated for arthritis and the aseptic loosening of prosthetic joints, and the development of bone-healing applications is at an advanced, preclinical stage. Other potential uses include the treatment of Mendelian diseases and orthopedic tumors, as well as the repair and regeneration of cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. Many of these goals should be achievable with existing technologies. The main barriers to clinical application are funding and regulatory issues, which in turn reflect major safety concerns and the opinion, in some quarters, that gene therapy should not be applied to nonlethal, nongenetic diseases. For some indications, advances in nongenetic treatments have also diminished enthusiasm. Nevertheless, the preclinical and early clinical data are impressive and provide considerable optimism that gene therapy will provide straightforward, effective solutions to the clinical management of several common debilitating disorders that are otherwise difficult and expensive to treat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher H Evans
- Center for Molecular Orthopaedics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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15
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Aslan H, Sheyn D, Gazit D. Genetically engineered mesenchymal stem cells: applications in spine therapy. Regen Med 2009; 4:99-108. [PMID: 19105619 DOI: 10.2217/17460751.4.1.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Spine disorders and intervertebral disc degeneration are considered the main causes for the clinical condition commonly known as back pain. Spinal fusion by implanting autologous bone to produce bony bridging between the two vertebrae flanking the degenerated-intervertebral disc is currently the most efficient treatment for relieving the symptoms of back pain. However, donor-site morbidity, complications and the long healing time limit the success of this approach. Novel developments undertaken by regenerative medicine might bring more efficient and available treatments. Here we discuss the pros and cons of utilizing genetically engineered mesenchymal stem cells for inducing spinal fusion. The combination of the stem cells, gene and carrier are crucial elements for achieving optimal spinal fusion in both small and large animal models, which hopefully will lead to the development of clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Aslan
- Skeletal Biotech Lab, Hebrew University, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem- Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
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16
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Kimelman N, Pelled G, Helm GA, Huard J, Schwarz EM, Gazit D. Review: gene- and stem cell-based therapeutics for bone regeneration and repair. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 13:1135-50. [PMID: 17516852 DOI: 10.1089/ten.2007.0096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Many clinical conditions require regeneration or implantation of bone. This is one focus shared by neurosurgery and orthopedics. Current therapeutic options (bone grafting and protein-based therapy) do not provide satisfying solutions to the problem of massive bone defects. In the past few years, gene- and stem cell-based therapy has been extensively studied to achieve a viable alternative to current solutions offered by modern medicine for bone-loss repair. The use of adult stem cells for bone regeneration has gained much focus. This unique population of multipotential cells has been isolated from various sources, including bone marrow, adipose, and muscle tissues. Genetic engineering of adult stem cells with potent osteogenic genes has led to fracture repair and rapid bone formation in vivo. It is hypothesized that these genetically modified cells exert both an autocrine and a paracrine effects on host stem cells, leading to an enhanced osteogenic effect. The use of direct gene delivery has also shown much promise for in vivo bone repair. Several viral and nonviral methods have been used to achieve substantial bone tissue formation in various sites in animal models. To advance these platforms to the clinical setting, it will be mandatory to overcome specific hurdles, such as control over transgene expression, viral vector toxicity, and prolonged culture periods of therapeutic stem cells. This review covers a prospect of cell and gene therapy for bone repair as well as some very recent advancements in stem cell isolation, genetic engineering, and exogenous control of transgene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadav Kimelman
- Skeletal Biotech Lab, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem-Hadassah Medical Campus, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Kimelman N, Pelled G, Gazit Z, Gazit D. Applications of gene therapy and adult stem cells in bone bioengineering. Regen Med 2007; 1:549-61. [PMID: 17465849 DOI: 10.2217/17460751.1.4.549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bone tissue engineering is an emerging field, that could become a main therapeutic strategy in orthopedics in coming years. While bone has regenerative abilities that enable the self repair and regeneration of fractures, there are extreme situations in which the extent of bone loss is too large for complete regeneration to occur. In order to achieve bone regeneration, osteogenic genes (mainly from the bone morphogenetic protein family) can be delivered either directly into the target tissue, or by using adult stem cells, which are later implanted into the target site. Engineered adult stem cells combined with biodegradable polymeric scaffolds can be implanted into target sites, with or without ex vivo culture period. Several important factors influence the success of bone engineering approaches including: choice of cell and scaffold, the vector used in order to deliver the osteogenic gene, and the osteogenic gene itself. Cutting-edge imaging technologies, bioinformatics-based analysis of gene expression and exogenous regulation of transgene expression are among the tools that are being used to optimize and control bone formation in vivo. In this review we have attempted to provide an overview of the main factors that should be considered when utilizing adult stem cells and gene therapy strategies to regenerate bone defects or to promote new bone formation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Kimelman
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Skeletal Biotechnology Laboratory, Hadassah Medical Campus, Ein Kerem, PO Box 12272, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
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Abstract
For a successful spinal fusion to occur, several vital elements are necessary. They consist of the presence of the bone-forming cell (osteoblast) or its precursor, the appropriate biological signals directing bone synthesis, and a biocompatible scaffold on which the process can occur. The most critical of these components is the osteoblast or its precursor, the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC), both of which possess the ability to form bone. As a result, many current techniques attempt to maximize the benefits derived from harvesting the ready source of MSCs from bone marrow, while minimizing the associated complications. These cellular technologies seek to improve on the harvest and concentration of the MSCs or enhance their delivery and action. This review focuses on the terminology, historical underpinnings, and current research rationale and techniques and discusses the possible future of these technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis H Shen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, PO Box 800159, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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Abstract
Spinal fusion will continue to be an important part of the surgical treatment of spinal pathology for the foreseeable future. Traditional challenges to successful spinal fusion surgery include autograft donor site morbidity and pseudoarthrosis. Recent advances in the understanding of the biology of bone formation have allowed the development of therapeutic biologics. Although recombinant bone morphogenetic proteins delivered to the arthrodesis site will stimulate fusion, these proteins have been less successful in more challenging fusion situations (posterolateral), require supraphysiologic doses to promote fusion in humans, and are quite expensive. Gene therapy may represent the easiest method for the application of bone-forming biologic agents to promote spinal fusion. Both in vivo and ex vivo techniques of delivery of therapeutic genes have been used effectively to promote fusion in lower animals. Considerable research is required to identify gene therapy techniques and vectors with acceptable safety profiles and high fusion rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank M Phillips
- Rush University Medical Center, 1725 West Harrison Street, Suite 1063, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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