Effect of bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 7 on septal chondrocytes in alginate

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP)-2 and -7, and serum, on extracellular matrix production by human septal chondrocytes in alginate. STUDY DESIGN: Human nasal septal chondrocytes were expanded, suspended in alginate, and cultured in BMP-2 or 7, with and without serum. The optimal concentration of each growth factor was determined based on matrix production. Next, the synergistic effects of BMP-2 and -7 at optimal concentrations were determined on separate beads, based on matrix quantity and histology. RESULTS: Matrix content was highest with concentrations of BMP-2 and -7 of 100 ng/ml and 20 ng/ml, respectively, with serum. Adding both BMP-2 and -7, with serum, increased matrix content by factors of 5.1 versus serum-only cultures, 2.7 versus only BMP-2 with serum, and 2.4 versus only BMP-7 with serum. All comparisons were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: BMP-2 and -7 significantly increase production of extracellular matrix by septal chondrocytes suspended in alginate. The presence of serum improves matrix production. SIGNIFICANCE: BMP-2 and -7 have great potential for use in cartilage tissue engineering. (c) 2007 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. All rights reserved.