The enhancement of osteogenesis by scaffold based on mineralized recombinant human-like collagen loading with rhBMP-2

A biomimetic scaffold based on mineralized recombinant collagen, nano-hydroxyapatite/recombinant human-like collagen/poly(lactic acid) (nHA/RHLC/PLA), was prepared with recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) for improving the osteoinductive property of the scaffold. The nHA/RHLC/PLA scaffolds loaded with 10 µg rhBMP-2 and the unloaded scaffolds were implanted subcutaneously in the rat model. The osteogenetic capacity of these composites was evaluated by CT scan, ALP activity test and histological observation at 4 and 8 weeks after implantation. The experimental results indicated that the osteogenic capability of the scaffolds loaded with rhBMP-2 was superior to the unloaded scaffold. It was concluded that rhBMP-2 can enhance the osteoinductive property of the nHA/RHLC/PLA scaffold and the nHA/RHLC/PLA scaffold loaded with rhBMP-2 have the good potential of being used in bone tissue engineering.