Mesenchymal stem cells and osteophilic polymer as promising agents in bone regeneration

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an attractive stem cell source for transplantation. MSCs can easily differentiate into osteoblasts and increase in osteoblast number will have positive effect on the bone regeneration in such conditions as osteoporosis or Paget disease. To provide the targeted delivery of MSCs to bone we have synthesized a novel osteophilic polymer. The primary active sites of the polymer are bisphosphonate functional groups that target hydroxyapatite molecules (HA) on the bone surface. NHS groups on the other end of the molecule allow polymer to bind to the cell surface components. Coating of cell surfaces with the polymer would allow the cells to bind specifically to HA component of bone and localize the cellular repair functions to areas of injured bone.