Linking of bone morphogenetic protein-2 to resorbable fracture plates for enhancing bone healing.

OBJECTIVE: To test whether bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 may be covalently linked to resorbable fracture repair plates using an ester-hydrolysis reaction and determining whether the linked compound can facilitate bone growth.

STUDY DESIGN: Laboratory in vitro experiments.

METHOD: Resorbable fracture repair plates were partially hydrolyzed using varying concentrations of acid or base. This intermediate was then reacted with EDAC (1-ethyl-3[-3-dimethylamino propyl carbodiimide) to form an EDAC intermediate, which was then reacted with either horseradish peroxidase (HRP), interleukin (IL)-2, or BMP-2. Compound binding to the plate was confirmed by immunofluorescent staining. Confirmation of protein function was determined by the following assays: HRP's ability to cleave peroxide, IL-2's ability to stimulate lymphocytes, and BMP-2's ability to stimulate C3H10T1/2 cells to generate alkaline phosphatase.

RESULTS: Three compounds (HRP, IL-2, and BMP-2) were successfully linked to plates as confirmed by immunofluorescence staining or functional testing. Compounds demonstrated better covalent linking to plates under basic conditions. HRP, IL-2, and BMP-2 retained function after binding as measured by cleaved peroxide levels, lymphocytes proliferation, and alkaline phosphatase production.

CONCLUSIONS: Covalent linking of compounds such as HRP, IL-2, and BMP-2 to resorbable plates is possible and represents a novel protein delivery technique. BMP-2 covalently linked to resorbable plates may be used to facilitate bone healing. Covalent linking of compounds to plates represents a novel method for delivering concentrated levels of growth factors to a specific site and potentially extending their half-life. Further investigation into this application for bone healing may lead to quicker healing.