Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) has been used in clinical practice to stimulate fracture healing and spinal arthrodesis. Difficulty in localising and maintaining BMP at the target site has resulted in the use of large doses of BMP, and has been associated with significant adverse effects. We have previously shown clay hydrogels can bind growth factors for localised efficacy. We hypothesised that localisation of BMP within clay gels would reduce the dose required to mediate bone formation. 2×10-4mg and 1×10-5 mg BMP were mixed in Laponite and applied to collagen sponge. 3 sponges containing high dose, and 3 containing low dose BMP were implanted subcutaneously in a mouse. This process was repeated in 8 mice, for controls, alginate hydrogel was used in a further 8 mice, and 1 mouse received 6 blank collagen scaffolds. Micro Computed Tomography was used to assess bone formation fortnightly; at 8 weeks the mice were culled and underwent histological analysis.Background
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