Journal of Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology
Vol.10 No.03(2019), Article ID:93678,15 pages
10.4236/jbnb.2019.103009

Osteoinduction and Osteoconduction with Porous Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate Implanted after Fibular Resection in Humans

Takashi Ariizumi1, Hiroyuki Kawashima1*, Hiroshi Hatano2, Tetsuro Yamagishi1, Naoki Oike1, Taro Sasaki2, Hajime Umezu3, Yongjun Xu4, Naoto Endo1, Akira Ogose5

1Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan

2Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata Cancer Center Hospital, Niigata, Japan

3Division of Pathology, Niigata University Hospital, Niigata, Japan

4Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Hospital, Harbin, China

5Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Uonuma Kikan Hospital, Niigata, Japan

Copyright © 2019 by author(s) and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0).

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Received: June 3, 2019; Accepted: July 12, 2019; Published: July 15, 2019

ABSTRACT

Osteoinductive properties of β-TCP remain unknown in humans. It is important to improve the bone grafts which have been the standard treatment for bone defect due to their biocompatibility and bone-healing properties. The purpose of this study was to radiologically clarify the bone forming property of β-TCP by evaluating the replacement of β-TCP by newly formed bone in the defect after fibular resection and to examine the histological features of a β-TCP specimen three months after grafting. Radiographs of 17 patients who underwent β-TCP grafting were evaluated. Osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties were assessed by examining bone formation from the remnant fibula, periosteum, and β-TCP alone. In one case, β-TCP was removed later because of postoperative complications and was evaluated histologically. Twenty two of 34 sites between the remnant fibula and β-TCP had achieved good bone regeneration. Five of 14 sites between the periosteum and β-TCP had achieved good bone regeneration. We found immature but evident bone formation in three cases with no osseous and periosteal sites. Histological analysis revealed bone formation on the outer macropore surface of β-TCP. Some blood vessels formed in the macropores expressed CD31 and CD34, while a few lymphatic vessels expressed CD34 and podoplanin. Thus, the osteoinductive ability of β-TCP alone was demonstrated in humans radiographically for the first time. The histological morphology of β-TCP was demonstrated at an early stage after grafting in humans.

Keywords:

Osteoinduction, Osteoconduction, Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate, Bioactive Ceramic, Fibular Regeneration

1. Introduction

Recently, bioactive ceramics have gained popularity for filling bone defect secondary to trauma or tumor resection [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . Autogenous bone grafts have been the standard treatment for bone loss due to their biocompatibility and bone-healing properties [6] . However, the amount of bone that can be harvested from a patient’s bone is a limitation. Therefore, bioactive ceramic substitutes are a suitable option for filling large bone defects. A variety of synthetic ceramic substitutes have been developed to fill bone defects [7] . Hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2), beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) (Ca3(PO4)2), and their derivatives and combinations are the most commonly used ceramic materials in bone surgeries [8] .

Previously, we reported that β-TCP is a suitable bone-filling agent in clinical applications [3] [4] [5] [9] [10] [11] . Beta-TCP has been shown to have good biocompatibility and osteoconductivity in both animal experiments and clinical settings [12] [13] . Numerous basic studies have demonstrated that β-TCP enables good osteoconduction in various animals including human bone [3] [9] [13] [14] . However, calcium phosphate ceramics generally lack the osteoinductive properties needed for bone healing in large defect [15] . It has been shown that certain porous calcium phosphate bioceramics and coatings on metal implants induce ectopic bone formation when implanted in the muscles of large animals without adding osteogenic cells or bone growth factors prior to implantation [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] , while the osteoinductive properties of β-TCP remain unknown in humans.

Meanwhile, fibular bone defects are sometimes seen in surgeries for tumors of bones and soft tissues because of fibular bone grafts or resections of the primary fibular tumor. Before 2004, fibular defects were not reconstructed in our institutions. On the other hand, the residual functional deficit or ankle instability had been reported following fibulectomy [21] [22] . Since 2005, highly purified β-TCP blocks have been used to fill bone defects after resection of the fibula. The purpose of this study was to radiologically clarify the osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties of β-TCP in humans by evaluating the newly formed bone in the donor sites following the use of β-TCP.

Additionally, reports of histological examination of β-TCP in human bones at early stage are rare. The secondary purpose of this study was to examine the histological features of a β-TCP specimen three months after grafting.

2. Patients, Materials and Methods

Between 2005-2014, 17 patients who required β-TCP grafts after fibular resection at the Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, and the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata Cancer Center Hospital were included in this study. We reviewed their clinical findings and radiographs. This study was approved by the research ethics committee of Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences and Niigata Cancer Center Hospital (Approval no. 2017-0099). We obtained informed consent from each patient. We have used highly purified β-TCP since 1999 to fill bone defects. Beta-TCP (OSferionÒ Olympus, Tokyo Japan) was manufactured in an extraordinary high purity [3] [4] [5] .

The primary objective was to radiographically evaluate the osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties of β-TCP in humans. In all patients, a plain anteroposterior radiograph of the lower leg was obtained. The immediate postoperative and the last follow-up X-rays were assessed to evaluated the bone formation of β-TCP. Three radiographic points were established in order to evaluate the osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties of the grafted β-TCP (Figure 1). The first point was defined by bone formation between the remnant fibula and β-TCP regardless of periosteal preservation, which was called osteogenesis from the remnant fibula. The second point, called osteogenesis from the periosteum, was defined as bone formation between the periosteum and β-TCP in cases with periosteal preservation, such as non-vascularized free fibular grafts. In this way, we evaluated the osteoconductive properties of β-TCP scaffolds to investigate directing bone formation at local osseous sites. The third point was defined by bone formation using β-TCP scaffolds alone in cases with fibular resection along

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of radiographic assessments. (A) The full length of the fibula in the immediately post-operative period (left) and at the last follow-up (right); (B) Bone formation between the remnant fibula and β-TCP, which was called osteogenesis from the remnant fibula; (C) Bone formation between the periosteum (dotted line) and β-TCP in cases with periosteal preservation such as non-vascularized free fibular grafts, which was called osteogenesis from the periosteum; (D) Bone formation using β-TCP scaffolds alone in cases with vascularized fibular grafts and no periosteum at the donor site, which was called osteogenesis induced by β-TCP alone.

with the periosteum such as vascularized fibular grafts, which was called osteogenesis induced by β-TCP alone. In this way, we evaluated its osteoinductive properties. Based on the radiographic findings at the last follow-up, the newly formed bone could be divided into three categories: poor (little or no bone formation at the donor site), fair (some discontinuous or immature bone formation), and good (regeneration of cortical bone with a medullary cavity) (Table 1).

The secondary objective was to histologically evaluate the early osteoconductive ability of β-TCP in humans. This was evaluated in one patient who underwent non-vascularized free fibular graft. It was an 18-year-old male with osteosarcoma arising from the left distal femur (Case 7). After the preoperative chemotherapy, we performed wide resection and reconstruction using irradiated bone and ipsilateral non-vascularized free fibular graft. Beta-TCP blocks were placed at the donor site. Three months later, surgical site infection occurred in the distal femur, and the left thigh was amputated. The β-TCP specimen was removed from the amputated leg after obtaining informed consent. This specimen was immersed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 5 - 7 days, decalcified with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and embedded with paraffin. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to detect the newly formed bone. To detect osteoclasts, TRAP staining was performed according to Burstone’s Azo dye method [23] with some modifications [24] . To detect the morphological appearance of β-TCP, immunohistochemical staining was performed with the following primary antibodies: CD68 (pan-macrophage marker) (KP-1; Dako), CD31 (vascular endothelium marker) (Dako), CD34 (endothelium marker) (Dako), and podoplanin (D2-40; lymphatic endothelial marker) (Dako). This specimen was incubated with these primary antibodies and reacted with universal immuno-peroxidase polymer, anti-mouse and anti-rabbit antibodies (Histofine Simple Stain MAX PO (MULTI); Nichirei, Tokyo, Japan). The peroxidase activity was detected using 3’-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride (Nichirei). The specimen was counter-stained with hematoxylin.

3. Results

3.1. Clinical Data of the Patients

The demographic data is presented in Table 2. Eight patients were males and nine females. The mean age was 27.2 years (range, 9 - 72 years). The mean follow-up period postoperatively was 56.8 months (range, 2.4 - 179 months). Fourteen

Table 1. Scoring of the radiographic evaluation.

Table 2. Summary of the patients.

F, Female; M, Male; rt., right; lt., left; CS, Chondrosarcoma; OS, Osteosarcoma; ABC, Aneurysmal bone cyst; GCTB, Giant cell tumor of bone; UPS, Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma; FD, Fibrous dysplasia; SBC, Solitary bone cyst; VFG, Vascularized fibular graft; NVFG, Non-vascularized fibular graft.

of 17 patients underwent resection of the non-vascularized fibulas with preservation of the periosteum at the donor site. Two patients underwent resection of vascularized fibulas and only one underwent resection of the fibula with a wide margin due to primary bone tumor. The periosteum was not preserved in these 3 cases. In two patients, the bone marrows were obtained by aspiration from the iliac bone and were infiltrated with β-TCP blocks before implantation to stimulate bone formation. No complications were observed at the site of fibular defects. One patient (Case 13) complained of ankle pain at the last follow-up, though it is unclear if it was related to the implantation of β-TCP blocks.

3.2. Radiographic Assessment of β-TCP

We assessed the three radiographic points mentioned previously (Table 3). The degree of osteogenesis from the remnant fibula was assessed at 34 sites between the remnant fibula and β-TCP (sum of proximal and distal remnants of the fibula). The results noted were as follows: 22 (64.7%), good; 0, fair; and 12 (35.3%), poor. At 14 sites between the periosteum and β-TCP, the degree of osteogenesis from the periosteum was assessed, which had the following results: 5 (35.7%), good; 5 (35.7%), fair; and 4 (28.6%), poor. Good results in both these radiographic points were noted in case 17 (Figure 2), which revealed complete regeneration of the fibula radiologically. Figure 3 describes the case with poor osteogenesis from the remnant fibula (case 9). This case had absorption of the proximal and distal sides of the β-TCP blocks. In three patients who underwent resection of the fibula with periosteum, the degree of osteogenesis induced by β-TCP alone was assessed and the results were as follows: 0, good; 2 (66.7%), fair; and 1 (33.3%), poor. For example, newly formed bone with a medullary cavity was observed from the remnant proximal and distal fibula in case 1 (Figure 4). A little bone formation was

Table 3. The result of the radiographic assessment.

Figure 2. Radiographs of a 9-year-old female with histiocytic sarcoma (Case 17; Periosteum preserved). (A) Immediate post-operative radiograph demonstrating the β-TCP blocks filled in the bone defect; (B) Five months later, β-TCP blocks were unclear and bridging callus was formed from top to bottom at the donor site; (C) Fifty-two months later, complete regeneration of the fibula was attained (arrow).

Figure 3. Radiographs of a 28-year-old female with fibrous dysplasia (Case 9; Periosteum preserved). (A) Immediate post-operative radiograph demonstrating the β-TCP blocks filled in the bone defect; (B) Four months later, the middle part of the β-TCP blocks were unclear and bridging callus was formed but the proximal and distal sides of the β-TCP blocks were absorbed (arrow); (C) Nineteen months later, the proximal and distal side of the β-TCP blocks were absent and newly formed bone was not observed (arrow). Immature bone was present in the central part at the donor site.

Figure 4. Radiographs of a 12-year-old female with osteoid osteoma (Case 1; Periosteum excised). (A) The proximal shaft of the fibula was resected with the tumor. The periosteum was removed with the tumor. Immediate postoperative radiograph demonstrating some β-TCP blocks filled in the bone defect. Bone marrow aspirates were infiltrated with β-TCP blocks before implantation; (B) Twenty-one months later, β-TCP blocks were absent. Newly formed bone was observed from the remnant fibula (arrow), while little bone was present in the central part at the donor site. Good results in the degree of osteogenesis from the remnant fibula were noted at the proximal and distal remnant fibula.

observed within the central part of the bone defect. Bone marrow aspirates were infiltrated with β-TCP blocks before implantation in this case. Poor osteogenesis induced by β-TCP alone was noted. In case 3, a regenerated medullary cavity was observed. However, bone regeneration was immature and discontinuous in the central part of the bone defect (Figure 5). Bone marrow aspirates were also infiltrated with β-TCP blocks before implantation in this case. Fair osteogenesis induced by β-TCP alone was noted. In case 2, almost all of the grafted β-TCP was absorbed and immature regeneration of the fibular bone was observed (Figure 6). Fair osteogenesis induced by β-TCP alone was noted. However, bone regeneration was evident in the central part of the bone defect although bone marrow aspirates were not infiltrated with β-TCP blocks before implantation in this case.

3.3. Histological Evaluation

The specimen was evaluated on an axial section (Figure 7). The section with hematoxylin and eosin staining showed fibrovascular invasion into the macropores of β-TCP in the central region of the implanted area as well as in the peripheral region. There was no evidence of any newly formed bone in the central region, while abundant new bone formation on β-TCP was observed in the peripheral region. The cuboidal and columnar shaped osteoblasts lined the surface of the newly formed bone. In the middle region, numerous multinucleated-giant cells (probably osteoclasts) were attached to β-TCP. These cells were strongly positive for TRAP and CD68 (Figure 8). CD68 positive cells were scarce and TRAP positive cells were absent in the center region. Some vessels were formed

Figure 5. Radiographs of a 13-year-old female with osteosarcoma (Case 3; Periosteum excised). (A) Immediate postoperative radiograph demonstrating some β-TCP blocks filled in the bone defect. Bone marrow aspirates were infiltrated with β-TCP blocks before implantation; (B) Sixteen months later, β-TCP blocks were partially absorbed and bone formation was not clear; (C) One hundred and thirty-two months later, a medullary cavity was observed but bone regeneration was immature (arrow) in the central part at the donor site. The β-TCP blocks adjacent to the remnant fibulas had regenerated to bone.

Figure 6. Radiographs of a 12-year-old female with chondrosarcoma (Case 2; Periosteum excised). (A) Immediate post-operative radiograph demonstrating β-TCP blocks filled in the bone defect. Bone marrow aspirates were not infiltrated with β-TCP blocks before implantation; (B) One hundred and seventy-nine months later, almost all of the grafted β-TCP was absorbed and the regeneration of fibular bone was observed with bone marrow cavity, although the bone formation was immature.

Figure 7. Histological sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin in the β-TCP specimen. Three months after the surgery, the β-TCP specimen was removed and the axial section was used for the histological assessment (A). The periosteum was preserved circumferentially (B, black arrow). Fibrovascular invasion was seen in the macropores of β-TCP in the central region of the implanted area (E) as well as in the peripheral region. Abundant new bone formation on β-TCP was observed in the peripheral region. The cuboidal and columnar shaped cells (probably osteoblasts) lined the surface of the newly formed bone (C, black arrowheads). Between the peripheral abundant bone and central scarce bone, numerous multinucleated-giant cells (probably osteoclasts) were attached to β-TCP (D, white arrows). TCP, β-tricalcium phosphate; NB, newly formed bone.

Figure 8. TRAP and immunohistochemical staining analysis of the β-TCP specimen in case 7. Numerous multinucleated-giant cells attached to β-TCP were strongly positive for TRAP and CD68. The TRAP and CD68 positive cells were mostly located in the middle region in a serial section (arrows). CD68 positive cells were scarce and TRAP positive cells were absent in the central region. Some vessels were found in every region of the specimen, although these vessels were mainly concentrated in the middle region. Most vessels in the macropores expressed CD31 and CD34 in a serial section (asterisks), while few capillaries expressed CD34 and podoplanin (arrowheads). TCP, β-tricalcium phosphate; NB, newly formed bone.

in the macropores of β-TCP. These vessels were found in every region of the specimen, although they were mainly concentrated in the middle region. Most of these vessels expressed CD31 and CD34 on a serial section, while fewer vessels expressed CD34 and podoplanin.

4. Discussion

The primary aim of this study was to clarify the osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties of β-TCP in human radiologically. We found satisfactory bone formation between the remnant fibula and β-TCP, and between the periosteum and β-TCP. The findings corroborated with those of previous studies that documented the regeneration of the fibula with β-TCP [25] . We evaluated the osteoconductive properties of β-TCP using two radiographic points. The osteogenesis from the remnant fibula was good in 22 (64.7%) patients but poor in 12 (35.3%). In most cases with good results, almost normal cortical bone and intramedullary space was observed in the places of β-TCP blocks. These findings suggest the process of bony ingrowth from the margins of remnant fibula over the β-TCP block that can be resorbed. The probable reason for the poor results may be the short follow-up periods, which were due to dropping out of the patients or death due to underlying diseases. There were 5 (35.7%), 5 (35.7%), and 4 (28.6%) results of good, fair, and poor osteogenesis from the periosteum. The periosteum is known to be pluripotent. It consists of osteoblastic and chondrogenic cells and it may be utilized to engineer new bone formation in vivo [26] . Autogenic periosteum could increase the bioactivity of ceramics in heterosites and improve bone formation in porous calcium phosphate ceramics [27] . The evaluation of osteogenesis from the periosteum suggested that the combination of β-TCP and osteoblastic cells in the periosteum accelerate bone formation. These two findings demonstrated that β-TCP has good osteoconductive properties in humans.

The result of osteogenesis induced by β-TCP alone demonstrated that newly formed bone was observed in three cases although the bone formation was immature. In two cases, the bone marrow stromal cells might have promoted bone formation because bone marrow aspirates were infiltrated with β-TCP blocks before implantation. While in one case, new bone formation was observed although there was no periosteum at the donor site and bone marrow aspirates were not infiltrated. This finding suggested that β-TCP had osteoinductive properties in humans with no additional agents required. Arai et al. reported good osteoconductive properties of β-TCP radiographically. However, new bone was not observed at the donor site with β-TCP in the case of patients who underwent vascularized fibular grafting [25] . In the past, osteoinduction of β-TCP without concomitant use of bone marrow cells or bone-inductive cytokines has not been reported in humans. On the other hand, porous β-TCP has been known to demonstrate osteoinductive ability in certain animals [15] - [20] . We previously investigated the process of osteoinduction in porous β-TCP in canine dorsal muscles, which suggested that the micropores on the macropore surfaces are critical for this process [10] [11] . The result suggests that the microstructure of porous β-TCP is also an important factor in the process of osteoinduction in humans. The current study is noteworthy because the osteoinductive ability of β-TCP alone was demonstrated in humans radiographically for the first time.

The secondary aim was histological examination of a β-TCP specimen in human bone. The findings demonstrated the promotion of bone formation in the axial section of the specimen. Abundant new bone formation on β-TCP was observed in the peripheral region. In this case, the periosteum was preserved at the donor site. This result suggested that the osteoblasts of the periosteum infiltrated the macropores of β-TCP and that the bone formation extended from the periphery to the center of β-TCP. In the middle regions, numerous multinucleated-giant cells that were positive for TRAP and CD68 were directly attached to β-TCP, thus, suggesting that β-TCP is resorbed by osteoclasts and leads to osteoblastic new bone formation over the surface of β-TCP. In immunohistochemical analysis, CD31 and CD34 positive vessels were generally found in the macropores. CD31 and CD34 are vascular endothelial marker which express in the blood vessels [28] . This finding suggested the importance of blood vessels for bone regeneration. A few vessels expressed CD34 and podoplanin. CD34 is an endothelial marker, while podoplanin is a selective marker of lymphatic endothelium [29] . This finding suggested that lymphatic vessels invaded the macropores of β-TCP along with the blood vessels. Edwards et al. reported that lymphatic vessels are absent in normal bone but are observed in pathological conditions such as lymphangioma, some primary bone tumors, and Gorham-Stout disease [30] . However, lymphatic vessels in the regenerated bone from β-TCP have not been previously reported. The current study is noteworthy because it is the first to report lymphatic vessels in β-TCP histologically, although the role was not clear for bone regeneration.

There are several limitations to this study. The number of the patients was small. This study included patients with only short-term follow-up. There were no control patients who underwent fibular resection without grafting of β-TCP at the donor site. Future studies should include more cases with a longer follow-up to corroborate these findings.

In this study, we demonstrated radiographic regeneration of bone in place of β-TCP and histological morphology of β-TCP in the early stages following grafting in humans. Beta-TCP can be an excellent bone substitute to augment the formation of new bone in clinical use. The bone forming process of β-TCP in humans needs to be evaluated in future studies. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the osteoinductive properties of β-TCP in both animal experiments and clinical settings.

5. Conclusion

The osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties of β-TCP were radiologically demonstrated by evaluating the replacement of β-TCP by newly formed bone in fibular defects in humans. Beta-TCP has good osteoconductive and weak osteoinductive properties in humans. Histological examination suggested that the osteoblasts of the periosteum infiltrated the macropores of β-TCP and the bone formation extended from the periphery to the center of β-TCP. Beta-TCP is resorbed by osteoclasts and leads to osteoblastic new bone formation over the surface of β-TCP.

Acknowledgements

We thank Tetsuo Hotta MD, PhD from the Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences for help and advice regarding this manuscript.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Cite this paper

Ariizumi, T., Kawashima, H., Hatano, H., Yamagishi, T., Oike, N., Sasaki, T., Umezu, H., Xu, Y.J., Endo, N. and Ogose, A. (2019) Osteoinduction and Osteoconduction with Porous Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate Implanted after Fibular Resection in Humans. Journal of Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology, 10, 159-173. https://doi.org/10.4236/jbnb.2019.103009

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