OBJECTIVETo investigate the promotive effect of transplantation of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) gene transfected bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) compounded with injectable bone tissue engineering scaffold material Pluronic F-127 on bone regeneration in rabbit mandibular distraction osteogenesis(DO).

METHODSForty-eight New Zealand's white rabbits were randomized into four groups with twelve in each. All the objects were prepared into DO surgical model. On the 2nd day of consolidation, group A, B, C and D were injected with the same amount of 200 microL of the compound of BMP-2 gene transfected BMSCs with Pluronic F-127, the solution with BMP-2 gene transfected BMSCs, the solution of BMSCs and physiological saline at distraction zone, respectively. Two halves of the objects of all groups were sacrificed at the end of 2nd and 6th week consolidation, respectively. And the specimens of right mandible were prepared for radiological, histomorphological and immunohistochemical examinations to evaluate bone regeneration.

RESULTSBoth radiological and immunohistochemical images were analyzed and processed with professional software. At the end of 2nd and 6th week consolidation, the bone mineral density and the expression of BMP-2 protein in distraction area of group A were significantly higher than those of B, C, D group (P<0.01). Group B was significantly higher than that in group C and D (P<0.01). There was no significant difference between group C and D (P>0.05). And the regeneration quality of distraction zone in group A and B were better than those in group C and D, just as that of group A better than group B. Conclusion The transplantation of BMP-2 gene transfected BMSCs compound with Pluronic F-127 could effectively promote bone regeneration in rabbit mandibular DO.