| MadSci Network: Immunology |
Animal bones are hollow and contain many types of embedded cells, which would supply the donor's immune system with plenty of xeno-antigens for host-vs-graft response and probable rejection in the case of a cross-species transplant. I'm not sure if it would be possible to "clean" bone to a sufficient extent that it would not trigger an immune response, while retaining the ability to grow around a metallic or porous ceramic scaffold. Best to start with bone-making cells (osteoblasts) in culture and try to grow new bone around the metal component. Better yet, one could grow compatible osteoblasts from donor mesenchymal stem cells or human embryonic stem cells, which would circumvent the immune rejection issues. There are many recent studies featuring this approach; I include a few citations below to guide further reading.
Montjovent MO, Mark S, Mathieu L, Scaletta C, Scherberich A, Delabarde C, Zambelli PY, Bourban PE, Applegate LA, Pioletti DP. Human fetal bone cells associated with ceramic reinforced PLA scaffolds for tissue engineering. Bone. 2008 Mar;42(3):554-64. Epub 2007 Nov 7.
Robey PG, Kuznetsov SA, Riminucci M, Bianco P. Skeletal ("mesenchymal") stem cells for tissue engineering. Methods Mol Med. 2007;140:83-99.
Zaidi N, Nixon AJ. Stem cell therapy in bone repair and regeneration. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2007 Nov;1117:62-72.
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