Implantation of periosteal cells overexpressing the osteochondrogenic growth factor BMP-2 promotes healing of large bone defects in mice.

<p>(A–B) Radiographic analysis (A) and μCT-based quantification (B) of bone formation in large bone defects treated with collagen scaffolds containing periosteal cells (mPDC; n = 3) or periosteal cells overexpressing BMP2 (mPDC+BMP2; n = 5) showing the clear positive effect of the presence of BMP2 on bone healing (*p<0.05). (C) Histological sections of defects treated with mPDC or mPDC+BMP2 at day 56 after surgery, H&E (1–3) and CD31 (4–6) stainings are shown. All images were taken in the central region of the defect. Arrows indicate small regions of cartilage adjacent to the newly formed bone. Scale bars: 100 µm. b: bone, bm: bone marrow, s: scaffold.