Periostin Accelerates Bone Healing Mediated by Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Embedded Hydroxyapatite/Tricalcium Phosphate Scaffold

Periostin, an extracellular matrix protein, is expressed in bone, more specifically, the periosteum and periodontal ligaments, and plays a key role in formation and metabolism of bone tissues. Human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) have been reported to differentiate into osteoblasts and stimulate bone repair. However, the role of periostin in hASC-mediated bone healing has not been clarified. In the current study, we examined the effect of periostin on bone healing capacity of hASCs in a critical size calvarial defect model.. In addition, co-delivery of hASCs with periostin resulted in markedly increased numbers of CD31-positive endothelial cells and α-SMA-positive arterioles in calvarial defects.These results suggest that recombinant periostin potentiates hASC-mediated bone healing by stimulating proliferation of transplanted hASCs and angiogenesis in calvarial defects