COMP-angiopoietin1 potentiates the effects of bone morphogenic protein-2 on ischemic necrosis of the femoral head in rats

PLoS One. 2014 Oct 17;9(10):e110593. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110593. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Angiogenesis is considered essential for proper bone regeneration. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if a combined therapy of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein angiopoietin-1 (COMP-Ang1) can potentiate the therapeutic effect of BMP-2 in a rat model of ischemic necrosis of the femoral head (INFH). INFH was surgically induced in the femoral head of rats, and the animals were divided into the following groups: 1) a sham-operated group (sham group), 2) a bovine serum albumin-injected group (BSA group), 3) a BMP-2-injected group (BMP-2 group), and 4) a COMP-Ang1 and BMP-2-injected group (COMP-Ang1 + BMP-2 group) (n = 20/group). Radiologic, histologic, and histomorphometric assessments were performed to assess femoral head morphology, vascular density, and bone resorption activity. Western blots and immunohistochemical staining were performed to evaluate production of BMP-related signaling proteins in C3H10T1/2 cells and tissues. Real-time RT-PCR was performed to investigate expression of the target integrin gene, and the effect of integrin on C3H10T1/2 cells was determined using a cell adhesion assay. Radiographs obtained six weeks after injection revealed better preservation of the architecture of the femoral head in the COMP-Ang1 + BMP-2 group compared with the BSA and BMP-2 groups. Histological findings indicated increased trabecular bone and vascularity and decreased osteoclast bone resorption activity in the COMP-Ang1 + BMP-2 group compared with those in the BSA and BMP-2 groups. The combination of COMP-Ang1 and BMP-2 increased phosphorylation of Smad1/3/5, p38, and Akt. Increased integrin α3 and β1 mRNA expression in the COMP-Ang1 + BMP-2 group promoted cell adhesion. These results suggest that COMP-Ang1 preserved the necrotic femoral head through the potentiation of BMP-2 signaling pathways and angiogenesis. Combination treatment with COMP-Ang1 and BMP-2 may be a clinically useful therapeutic application in INFH.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / administration & dosage*
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / genetics
  • Bone Regeneration / drug effects
  • Cattle
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cricetulus
  • Femur Head Necrosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Femur Head Necrosis / drug therapy*
  • Femur Head Necrosis / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Integrins / biosynthesis
  • Male
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects*
  • Osteoclasts / drug effects
  • Osteogenesis / drug effects
  • Radiography
  • Rats
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • BMP2 protein, human
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2
  • COMP-Ang1 fusion protein
  • Integrins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (No. 2011-0028928). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.