Objectives: To investigate whether amelogenin has the ability to heal non-union fracture (critical size defect) in mouse calvaria (also a membranous bone).
Methods: (1) Creation of critical size defect (5 mm) in the parietal bone of the mouse. (2) Application of rHAM+ soaked in collagen sponge to the calvarial bone defect. (3) Characterization of the regenerated bone tissue 5 and 8 weeks after amelogenin application, using micro-CT analysis. (4) Use of histological, immunological and molecular biology technologies to characterize the regenerated bone tissue.
Results: Preliminary micro-CT results showed very little, if any, calvarial regeneration 5 weeks after rHAM+ application, while commencement of bone regeneration process was more clearly indicated 8 weeks after application. Micro-CT results generally concurred with the histological and immunological results.
Conclusions: Our preliminary results suggest that rHAM+ has the ability to regenerate non-union calvarial defects in the mouse. The regeneration process is indicated 8 weeks after rHAM+ application but obviously, the process initiates earlier. To achieve significant bone regeneration, for studying the pattern and mechanism involved in this regeneration process, longer periods of exposure to rHAM+ are required.
Funded by the Israeli Ministry of Health. Grant number (D.D.): 3-4064