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bFGF and PDGF-BB for Tendon Repair: Controlled Release and Biologic Activity by Tendon Fibroblasts In Vitro

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Abstract

Flexor tendon injuries are often encountered clinically and typically require surgical repair. Return of function after repair is limited due to adhesion formation, which leads to reduced tendon gliding, and due to a lack of repair site strength, which leads to repair site gap formation or rupture. The application of the growth factors basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) and platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) has been shown to have the potential to enhance tendon healing. The objectives of this study were to examine: (1) the conditions over which delivery of bFGF can be controlled from a heparin-binding delivery system (HBDS) and (2) the effect of bFGF and PDGF-BB released from this system on tendon fibroblast proliferation and matrix gene expression in vitro over a 10-day interval. Delivery of bFGF was controlled using a HBDS. Fibrin matrices containing the HBDS retained bFGF better than did matrices lacking the delivery system over the 10-day period studied. Delivery of bFGF and PDGF-BB using the HBDS stimulated tendon fibroblast proliferation and promoted changes in the expression of matrix genes related to tendon gliding, strength, and remodeling. Both growth factors may be effective in enhancing tendon healing in vivo.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (AR033097).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University, 660 South Euclid, Campus Box 8233, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA

    Stavros Thomopoulos, Rosalina Das, Matthew J. Silva, Nichole Charlton & Richard H. Gelberman

  2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Stavros Thomopoulos, Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert & Matthew J. Silva

Authors
  1. Stavros Thomopoulos
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  2. Rosalina Das
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  3. Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert
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  4. Matthew J. Silva
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  6. Richard H. Gelberman
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Correspondence to Stavros Thomopoulos.

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Thomopoulos, S., Das, R., Sakiyama-Elbert, S. et al. bFGF and PDGF-BB for Tendon Repair: Controlled Release and Biologic Activity by Tendon Fibroblasts In Vitro . Ann Biomed Eng 38, 225–234 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-009-9844-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-009-9844-5

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