Controlled Release of Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7 in Nanoscaffolds

Evaluation of: Wei GB, Jin Q, Giannobile WV, Ma PX: The enhancement of osteogenesis by nano-fibrous scaffolds incorporating rhBMP-7 nanospheres. Biomaterials 28, 2087–2096 (2007) [1]. This publication is one of several recent articles that propose the use of nanotextured material for the delivery of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). Wei and colleagues propose a poly(L-lactic acid) scaffold of interconnecting macropores with a nanofibrous architecture. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanospheres encapsulating recombinant human BMP-7 were attached to the scaffold poly(L-lactic acid) for the controlled delivery of recombinant human BMP-7. This novel construct was tested in a rodent model for subcutaneous ectopic bone formation. In this proposed construct, parameters for the scaffold design and drug delivery can be manipulated independently. We review the clinical need for the controlled delivery of BMPs and discuss how the clinical need could be met based on the methods and results of Wei and colleagues. We also discuss the future challenges as well as the significance of this construct as a possible means of BMP delivery in clinical practice in the future.