OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) gene therapy on bone defect and bone rarefaction around endosseous implant.

METHODSThe primary cultured bone marrow derived stroma cells (BMSCs) was transfected by plasmid pCDNA3.1(+) -TGF-beta1, and was adhered with polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) for constructing TGF-beta1 gene-modified artificial bone. The model of rats with placed titanium implants in the proximal metaphyses of the tibiae after ovariectomy was made. The TGF-beta1 gene-modified artificial bone (experimental group), BMSCs-PLGA compound artificial bone (control group) and nothing (blank control group) were placed in the bone defect around implant. The tibiae were examined by decalcified sections with immunohistochemical method and histological analysis methods at intervals of 4 and 8 weeks after implant surgery in order to detect the expression of TGF-beta1 in new bone adjacent to the implant and the healing of the bone defect around the implant.

RESULTSThe expression level of TGF-beta1 of experimental group was higher than that of control group and blank control group at the 4th week. The histological analysis indicated that the gene-modified artificial bone had stronger osetogenic potential than others.

CONCLUSIONTGF-beta1 gene-modified artificial bone promotes the repair of the bone defect around titanium implants in osteoporotic rats.