Journal List > J Korean Soc Spine Surg > v.10(1) > 1035564

Moon, Kim, Kwon, Kim, Youn, Kim, Hahn, and Lee: Dual Roles of Ligamentum Flavum for Spinal Fusion: As an Osteoinductive Agent and Carrier for Ex-vivo Gene Transfer

Abstract

Study Design

A n in-vitro experiment using human ligamentum flavum (LF) and the adnovirus- BMP- 2 construct, A d/ BMP- 2.

Objectives

To determine the dual roles of LF as an osteoinductive agent and carrier for ex- vivo gene transfer.

Summary of Literature Review

LF is known to have osteogenic potential. Pathologically, ossified LF may cause myelopathy and radiculopathy. BMP- 2 is known as an important factor in the differentiation, and maintenance, of osteoblast phenotypes. Ex- vivo gene transfer, using human LF for spinal fusion, has never been attempted before.

Materials and Methods

The LF cells were cultured from the degenerated LF of spinal stenosis patients. A n adenovirus construct, containing BMP- 2 cDNA (A d/BMP- 2), was also produced. The LF cell cultures were exposed to the adenoviral construct. The Osteocalcin expression was analysed by W estern blot analysis. The osteocalcin and BMP- 2 mRNA expressions were analysed by RT- PCR. Bone formation was assessed by alkaline phosphatase and Von Kossa stains.

Results

The LF cell cultures, with A d/BMP- 2, showed transgene expression in the Western blot analysis. A lso, the cultures exhibited the mR NA expressions of both osteocalcin and BMP- 2, in a dosedependent manner. The LF cultures, with A d/BMP- 2, demonstrated alkaline phosphatase expression and bone nodule formations from the Von Kossa staining.

Conclusion

The genetically modified LF strongly induced osteogenesis, which can be used during a spinal fusion, as an osteoinductive agent and carrier, for ex- vivo gene transfer.

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Fig. 1.
Transgene expression (BMP-2 mRNA) and expression of osteogenic phenotype (osteocalcin mRNA) in cell culture of ligamentum flavum with an Ad/BMP-2 (MOI of 50, 100, 150). Expression was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.
jkss-10-1f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Expression of osteocalcin protein in supernatant of ligamentum flavum cell culture with an Ad/BMP-2 (MOI of 50, 100, 150). Expression was detected by Western Blot analysis. Negative control denotes CHO cell without Ad/BMP-2 and positive control denotes saline with osteocalcin protein.
jkss-10-1f2.tif
Fig. 3.
Ligamentum flavum cell culture with various dose of Ad/BMP-2 (MOI of 50, 100, 150) showed dose dependent increase of reactivity with (A) alkaline phosphatase stain and (B) Von Kossa stain, while culture with saline exhibited negative stain.
jkss-10-1f3.tif
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