The role of thrombospondin-1 in biomaterial integration of porous polyethylene implants in vivo

Introduction:

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) is a matrix glycoprotein with functions in angiogenesis and thrombogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of TSP-1 for angiogenesis and host tissue integration of porous polyethylene (PPE) implants used for reconstruction of bone and cartilaginous tissue in craniomaxillofacial surgery.

Methods:

Over a period of ten days, functional vessel density, cellular immune response as well as platelet-endothelial cell interactions were examined by fluorescence microscopy after implantation of PPE into dorsal skinfold chambers in TSP-1 knock-out mice (TSP-1 –/-) [n = 8] and wild-type mice [n = 8].

Results:

In the group of TSP –/– mice a significantly reduced functional vessel density within the implanted PPE was found. Furthermore, the vessel network in the tissue surrounding the implant also showed signs of an impaired vascular network. Leukocyte adherence and platelet-endothelial cell interactions also showed differences in both groups.

Conclusions:

TSP-1 has been shown to influence neovascularization and integration of PPE implants into host tissue. Therefore, TSP-1 coating represents a new promising approach for pro-angiogenic surface modification of implant surfaces for plastic-reconstructive procedures.

Dr. med. Jonas Eckrich

Universitätsmedizin Mainz, HNO Klinik,

Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131

Mainz

eMail: [e-mail]

Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
23. April 2019 (online)