Perfluorodecalin and bone regeneration

Eur Cell Mater. 2013 Jan 2:25:22-36. doi: 10.22203/ecm.v025a02.

Abstract

Perfluorodecalin (PFD) is a chemically and biologically inert biomaterial and, as many perfluorocarbons, is also hydrophobic, radiopaque and has a high solute capacity for gases such as oxygen. In this article we have demonstrated, both in vitro and in vivo, that PFD may significantly enhance bone regeneration. Firstly, the potential benefit of PFD was demonstrated by prolonging the survival of bone marrow cells cultured in anaerobic conditions. These findings translated in vivo, where PFD incorporated into bone-marrow-loaded 3D-printed scaffolds substantially improved their capacity to regenerate bone. Secondly, in addition to biological applications, we have also shown that PFD improves the radiopacity of bone regeneration biomaterials, a key feature required for the visualisation of biomaterials during and after surgical implantation. Finally, we have shown how the extreme hydrophobicity of PFD enables the fabrication of highly cohesive self-setting injectable biomaterials for bone regeneration. In conclusion, perfluorocarbons would appear to be highly beneficial additives to a number of regenerative biomaterials, especially those for bone regeneration.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Density
  • Bone Marrow Cells / drug effects
  • Bone Marrow Cells / physiology
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation
  • Bone Regeneration / drug effects*
  • Bone Substitutes / administration & dosage*
  • Bone Substitutes / pharmacology
  • Calcium Phosphates / administration & dosage*
  • Calcium Phosphates / chemistry
  • Calcium Phosphates / pharmacology
  • Cell Hypoxia
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Fluorocarbons / administration & dosage*
  • Fluorocarbons / pharmacology
  • Guided Tissue Regeneration
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Male
  • Materials Testing
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Rabbits
  • Radiography
  • Ulna / diagnostic imaging
  • Ulna / surgery

Substances

  • Bone Substitutes
  • Calcium Phosphates
  • Fluorocarbons
  • perfluorodecalin
  • calcium phosphate