Evaluation of Osteogenic Potential of Cultured Periosteum Derived Cells -Preliminary Animal Study-

Periosteum is a source of osteoprogenitor cells and some investigators advocated the effective use of periosteum as a grafting material for the repair of bone and joint defects. In the present study, we showed bone formation induced from cultured periosteum-derived cells (CPDC) in the rat calvarial defect model. Periosteum taken from a rat tibia was immediately placed in culture medium with 10% fetal bovine serum. After confluence, periosteal cells were re-cultured three dimensionally on a collagen sponge for 7 days. Periosteal cell/collagen complex was grafted in calvarial defect of rats. At 30 and 60 days post grafting, grafted tissue was extracted and compared histologically and radiographically with control groups. In the experimental group at 30 days after implantation, new bone formation was seen. Radiographically, mineralized new bone formation was revealed in the defect at 60 days post grafting. New bone formation in periosteal cell/ collagen complex was greater than the other groups. Our results suggest that CPDC may have an important role in bone formation in the calvarial defect in rats.