Evaluation of an injectable rhGDF-5/PLGA construct for minimally invasive periodontal regenerative procedures: A histological study in the dog

David H. Kwon, William Bennett, Samuel Herberg, Patrizia Bastone, Susanne Pippig, Nancy A. Rodriguez, Cristiano Susin, Ulf M E Wikesjö

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the injectability, biocompatibility, safety, and periodontal wound healing/regeneration following application of a novel bioresorbable recombinant human growth/differentiation factor-5 (rhGDF-5)/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) construct. Material and Methods: Periodontal pockets (3 × 6 mm, width × depth) were surgically created over the buccal roots of the second and fourth mandibular pre-molars in eight adult Hound Labrador mongrel dogs. Surgeries including injection of the rhGDF-5/PLGA construct into the pockets were sequenced that four animals provided 2-/4-week and four animals 6-/8-week observations of sites receiving rhGDF-5/PLGA or serving as sham-surgery control. Results: The rhGDF-5/PLGA construct was easy to prepare and apply. Approximately 0.2 ml (93 μg rhGDF-5)/tooth was used. Clinical and radiographic healing was exemplary without adverse events. Healing was characterized by a non-specific connective tissue attachment, acellular/cellular cementum, periodontal ligament (PDL), bone regeneration, and a junctional epithelium. PLGA fragments were observed in 4/7, 2/8, and 1/8 sites at 2, 4, and 6 weeks, respectively. Associated inflammatory reactions exhibited no limiting effect on periodontal wound healing/ regeneration. Root resorption/ankylosis was not observed. Bone formation showed apparent increased maturity (lamellar bone) at 6 weeks in sites receiving rhGDF-5/PLGA compared with the control. Both protocols exhibited significant increases in PDL, cementum, and bone regeneration over time, without significant differences between treatments. In time, PDL and cementum regeneration was twofold greater for the control at 4 weeks (p=0.04) while increased bone formation was observed at sites receiving rhGDF-5/PLGA (p<0.01). Conclusions: In conclusion, the rhGDF-5/PLGA construct appears to be a safe technology for injectable, ease-of-use application of rhGDF-5-stimulated periodontal wound healing/regeneration. Additional work to optimize the polymer carrier and rhGDF-5 release kinetics/dose might be required before evaluating the efficacy of this technology in clinical settings using minimally invasive approaches.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)390-397
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Clinical Periodontology
Volume37
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2010

Keywords

  • Bone
  • Cementum
  • GDF-5
  • PLGA
  • Periodontal ligament
  • Periodontal regeneration
  • Tissue engineering

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Periodontics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Evaluation of an injectable rhGDF-5/PLGA construct for minimally invasive periodontal regenerative procedures: A histological study in the dog'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this