Abstract: ObjectiveTo observe the effect of rabbit skeletal muscle stem cells (RSMSCs) modified by adenovirus mediated bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) gene ex vivo in combination with demineralized bone matrix (DBM) on repair of longer bone defect in rabbit.MethodsModel of radial bone defects (20 mm) of rabbits was established. 50 rabbits were divided into 5 groups, group A (AdrhBMP-2 trusduced RSMSCs/DBM group), group B (adGFP trusduced RSMSCs/DBM group), group C (not trusduced RSMSCs/DBM group), group D (DBM group), and group E (untreated group). Roentgenographic, histologic, biomechanical, bone density of all animals were examined at the end of 4th and 6th week after surgery.ResultsAt 4th week, radial bone defects healed in group A. The healing rates from group A to group E were 100%, 50%, 33%, 0%, and 0% respectively at 6th week.ConclusionRSMSCs modified by AdrhBMP-2 ex vivo in combination with DBM can repair radial longer segemental defect in rabbit. It's possible to be used in the clinical treatment of longer segemental bone defect.

Key words: bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), gene therapy, skeletal muscle stem cells, bone defect