Fujifilm Achieves Major Improvements in Bone Regeneration Capability through Transplants of the Matrix to Areas of Bone Defect

Fujifilm Achieves Major Improvements in Bone Regeneration Capability through Transplants of the Matrix to Areas of Bone Defect Epoch-making outcome of studies on cellnest , an Extracellular Matrix Required for Cell Cultures Used in Regenerative Medicine

17.03.2016

FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Shigehiro Nakajima) has succeeded in significantly improving bone regeneration capability through the transplantation, to areas of defect in the calvarial bone of rats, of cellnest * recombinant peptide based on human collagen type I (hereinafter: cellnest), an extracellular matrix** required for the cell cultures used in regenerative medicine. In future, this product has great potential for use in bone regeneration, particularly the regeneration of the alveolar bone***, an area with significant medical needs.

[Research Background]

When treating patients with bone defects, it is necessary to create space for the newly-forming bone in the area of the defect and to ensure that the space is not invaded by other tissues. It is also necessary to promote the regeneration of new bones through the cumulative deposition of osteoblasts*4. Prosthetic bone materials have up until now been used in this treatment, but the existing materials have been unable to address both securing space and promoting bone regeneration. In particular, in the field of dental treatment, the areas where tooth have been extracted are easily invaded by the surrounding gum tissue and the alveolar bone in such areas is easily dissolved and absorbed. The two issues of securing space and promoting bone regeneration must both be resolved at the same time when providing dental implant treatment.

Fujifilm has applied its expertise in collagen developed through long years of research in photographic film in order to develop the extracellular matrix cellnest, and this matrix is now being applied to bone regeneration. Cellnest is a genetically engineered artificial protein modeled on human collagen type I, and it shows a strong adhesion with integrin*5, which is found on the surface of cells. In order to optimize the breakdown rate of cellnest within living organisms, Fujifilm performed cross-link*6 of a frozen, dried sample of cellnest using advanced engineering technologies. This cellnest was then converted into the form of granules and transplanted into the area of bone defect, achieving the research results below.

[Research Outcome]

(1) Experiment description

Cellnest, produced through cross-linking and made into granular form, was transplanted into areas of bone defect in the calvarial bone of rats (Fig.1). The same operation was also performed with existing prosthetic bone material A and B. After four weeks, the status of bone regeneration in the transplanted areas was compared.

(2) Results

Where cross-linked cellnest has been transplanted, strong bone formation is observed across the whole area of bone defect, and the regenerated bone has the same or greater thickness than the surrounding bone (Fig.2).

With prosthetic bone material A, some bone regeneration is observed, but this is thinner than the surrounding areas (Fig.3).

With prosthetic bone material B, although a space with equivalent thickness to surrounding areas has been secured, hardly any bone regeneration is observed (Fig.4).

Transplantation of cellnest

Transplantation of prosthetic bone material A

Transplantation of prosthetic bone material B

As can be seen from the above results, Fujifilm confirmed that cross-linking cellnest and transplanting it into the areas of bone defect secures space for bone regeneration, promotes bone regeneration, and significantly improves bone regeneration capability. The results of this research are scheduled for announcement at the 15th Congress of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine, to be held at the Osaka International Convention Center on March 18, 2016 in Japan.

Fujifilm will work to make further progress in research and development in the field of regenerative medicine and contribute to the elevation of regenerative medicine business to the industrial stage. Fujifilm will continue to fuse its expertise in highly functional materials and engineering nurtured through long-years of research in photographic film with the technologies held by Fujifilm group companies, such as the technology for producing cells for treatment of Japan Tissue Engineering Co., Ltd., and the world-leading iPS cell-related technology and know-how developed by Cellular Dynamics International, Inc.

* An artificial protein produced by enzyme cells under the influence of genetic engineering. The product was launched in December 2014 as a reagent for use in research. Collagen is a major protein making up connective tissues in animals, and human collagen type I is found in the bones and the skin, accounting for 95% of all collagen in human beings.

** Proteins such as collagens which are found on the outside of cells. They fill the space between cells, supporting the organisms tissues, while also playing an important role in regulating cell replication and division.

*** This bone is the part of the jawbone that supports the teeth.

*4 Cells responsible for the formation of bone within the bone tissue.

*5 Receptors for extracellular collagen and other matrix molecules. They exist on the surface of cells, respond to stimulation from both inside and outside the body, adhere to the cell substrate, and mediate chemotaxis.

*6 Cross-linking is a process that changes the physical or chemical characteristics of proteins and other substances by combining these proteins using heat and light.

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