Alveolar ridge augmentation using anodized implants coated with Escherichia coli-derived recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Escherichia coli-derived recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (ErhBMP-2) coated onto anodized implant to stimulate local bone formation, including osseointegration and the vertical augmentation of the alveolar ridge. STUDY DESIGN: Six young male adult beagle dogs were used. A crestal area was leveled on both sides of each test subject by removing minimal cortical bone using a round bur and without exposing cancellous bone. After a 2-month healing period, 3 anodized implants (length 8 mm, diameter 4 mm; Cowellmedi, Busan, Korea) were placed 5 mm into the mandibular alveolar ridge in either side. Each animal received 6 implants that were either coated with ErhBMP-2 (0.75 or 1.5 mg/mL concentration; Cowellmedi) or uncoated. This was performed using a randomized split-mouth design. A total of 36 implants were used for this study. Twelve noncoated implants were used as control, and 24 BMP-coated implants were used as our experimental group, which was further divided into 2 groups of 12 implants each with different BMP concentration of 0.75 and 1.5 mg/mL. Radiologic examinations were performed immediately after implant placement and 4 and 8 weeks after implant placement. The amount of bone augmentation was evaluated by measuring the distance from the uppermost point of the cover screw to the marginal bone. Implant stability quotient (ISQ) values were measured immediately after surgery and 8 weeks after implant placement. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (SPSS version 17.0) and multiple-comparison tests. Statistical significance was established at the 95% confidence level. RESULTS: Implants coated with ErhBMP-2 at 0.75 mg/mL (BMP 0.75 group) and 1.5 mg/mL (BMP 1.5 group) exhibited significant vertical bone formation compared with the control group (mean ± SD): 0.88 ± 0.94 versus 0.60 ± 0.64 versus -0.52 ± 0.64 mm, respectively; P < .05. There was a significant difference between the 3 groups in bone level change (P < .05). The BMP 0.75 and BMP 1.5 groups exhibited significant changes in ISQ compared with the control group: 8.17 ± 8.31 versus 11.50 ± 9.02 versus 2.17 ± 7.61, respectively; P < .05. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of this study, the ErhBMP-2 coating on an anodized implant may stimulate vertical bone augmentation, which significantly increases implant stability on completely healed alveolar ridges.

Vesicle formed by amphiphilc cucurbit[6]uril: versatile, noncovalent modification of the vesicle surface, and multivalent binding of sugar-decorated vesicles to lectin.

We report a novel vesicle formed by an amphiphilic CB[6] derivative, the surface of which can be easily modified via host-guest interactions by taking advantage of molecular cavities, readily accessible at the vesicle surface, and their strong affinity toward polyamines. Amphiphilic CB[6] derivative 1 synthesized by reaction between (allyloxy)12CB[6] and 2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethanethiol affords a vesicle that has been characterized by TEM, light scattering, and fluorescent dye entrapment experiments. Treatment of vesicle 1 with FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate)-spermine conjugate ligand 2, in which spermine serves as a binding motif to CB[6] and FITC as a fluorescent tag, produced a surface-modified vesicle, which can be easily visualized by a confocal microscope. This result provides us with a new noncovalent, modular approach to the modification of vesicle surfaces. By treating the vesicle derived from the amphiphilic CB[6] with a tag-attached polyamine, we can easily decorate the surface of the vesicle with the tag. Sugar-decorated vesicles were prepared by this noncovalent method, and their interactions with concanavalin A (ConA) were studied. The binding constant of the vesicle decorated with mannose-spermidine conjugate 3 to ConA was measured to be approximately 3 x 104 M-1, which is almost 3 orders of magnitude higher than that of free ligand 3 to ConA (K = approximately 50 M-1). On the other hand, the binding constant of the vesicle coated with galactose-spermidine conjugate 4 to ConA was too small to be measured. These results illustrate the specific and multivalent interactions between the mannose-decorated vesicle and ConA. The ability for facile surface modification suggests many practical applications, including its use in targeted drug delivery and immunization.