BFGF and PDGF-BB for tendon repair: Controlled release and biologic activity by tendon fibroblasts in vitro

Stavros Thomopoulos, Rosalina Das, Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert, Matthew J. Silva, Nichole Charlton, Richard H. Gelberman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

91 Scopus citations

Abstract

Flexor tendon injuries are often encountered clinically and typically require surgical repair. Return of function after repair is limited due to adhesion formation, which leads to reduced tendon gliding, and due to a lack of repair site strength, which leads to repair site gap formation or rupture. The application of the growth factors basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) and platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) has been shown to have the potential to enhance tendon healing. The objectives of this study were to examine: (1) the conditions over which delivery of bFGF can be controlled from a heparin-binding delivery system (HBDS) and (2) the effect of bFGF and PDGF-BB released from this system on tendon fibroblast proliferation and matrix gene expression in vitro over a 10-day interval. Delivery of bFGF was controlled using a HBDS. Fibrin matrices containing the HBDS retained bFGF better than did matrices lacking the delivery system over the 10-day period studied. Delivery of bFGF and PDGF-BB using the HBDS stimulated tendon fibroblast proliferation and promoted changes in the expression of matrix genes related to tendon gliding, strength, and remodeling. Both growth factors may be effective in enhancing tendon healing in vivo.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)225-234
Number of pages10
JournalAnnals of biomedical engineering
Volume38
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2010

Keywords

  • Fibrin
  • Growth factor
  • Tissue engineering

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