Craniofacial bone trauma and disease are widespread healthcare problems. Despite the significant healing capability of bone, the requirement for new bone to restore large osseous defects and defects in patients with various medical conditions is a major clinical challenge. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is currently the only FDA approved anabolic agent to treat osteoporosis in the US, and holds strong promise for craniofacial bone regeneration. Our preliminary studies indicate that a systemic intermittent administration of PTH (daily injection) significantly stimulates bone regeneration in an engineered regenerative medicine model. However, there is no intermittent PTH delivery system available for local delivery applications and furthermore, the mechanisms of action of PTH to stimulate bone regeneration in an osseous wound healing model are unknown. We have developed polymers that enable an implantable prototype device for pulsatile PTH delivery as well as nanofibrous polymer/calcium phosphate composite scaffolds that enhance bone regeneration. Because one of the main functions of PTH is to regulate calcium levels and calcium is pro-proliferative for osteoblastic cells, we hypothesize that the anabolic activity of PTH depends on calcium availability. This proposed research will unite the expertise and resources of two experienced PIs and a Co-I to investigate the synergy between the PTH delivery and calcium availability in a biomimetic scaffold with translational potential for improve craniofacial bone regeneration. We will first develop both pulsatile and continuous PTH delivery systems, nanofibrous polymer/calcium phosphate composite scaffolds with varying calcium availability, and the optimal combination of the PTH delivery and calcium-containing scaffold. We will then investigate the mechanisms of the PTH action in relation to the calcium availability. Finally, based on these understandings we will regenerate craniofacial bone using the developed PTH delivery and scaffold technologies in a clinically relevant tooth extraction wound healing model.
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is currently used in humans to stimulate bone growth in patients with osteoporosis, and has been found to be beneficial in regenerating craniofacial bone. Unfortunately, the ability to deliver PTH locally has not been realized and its mechanisms of action are unclear which hinder clinical application. This project will investigate the mechanisms of action and applicability of using PTH to stimulate bone growth using a novel local delivery strategy. This innovation and information is critical in order o elucidate the clinical potential of PTH as a therapy to assist in oral bone healing.
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