Efficient delivery of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2) with dextran sulfate-chitosan microspheres

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) serves an important role in the development of bone and cartilage. However, administration of BMP-2 protein alone by intravenous delivery is not very effective. Sustained delivery of stabilized BMP-2 by carriers has been proven necessary to improve the osteogenesis effect of BMP-2. The present study constructed a novel drug delivery system using dextran sulfate (DS)-chitosan (CS) microspheres and investigated the efficiency of the delivery system on recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2). The microsphere morphology, optimal ratio of DS/CS/rhBMP-2, and drug loading rate and entrapment efficiency of rhBMP-2 CS nanoparticles were determined. L929 cells were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity and effect of DS/CS/rhBMP-2 microspheres on cell proliferation. Differentiation study was conducted using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs-C57) cells treated with DS/CS/rhBMP-2 microspheres or the control microspheres. The DS/CS/rhBMP-2 microspheres delivery system was successfully established. Subsequent complexation of rhBMP-2-bound DS with polycations afforded well defined microspheres with a diameter of ~250 nm. High protein entrapment efficiency (85.6%) and loading ratio (47.245) µg/mg were achieved. Release of rhBMP-2 from resultant microspheres persisted for over 20 days as determined by ELISA assay. The bioactivity of rhBMP-2 encapsulated in the CS/DS microsphere was observed to be well preserved as evidenced by the alkaline phosphatase activity assay and calcium nodule formation of BMSCs-C57 incubated with rhBMP-2-loaded microspheres. The results demonstrated that microspheres based on CS-DS polyion complexes were a highly efficient vehicle for delivery of rhBMP-2 protein. The present study may provide novel orientation for bone tissue engineering for repairing and regenerating bone defects.