1994 Volume 7 Issue 2 Pages 243-248
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) membrane carrier composites were implanted into the dorsal subcutaneous tissues of rats. The carriers were fibrous collagen membrane (FCM) and fibrous glass membrane (FGM). The carriers were implanted as controls. Each composite was removed after 1, 2 and 3 weeks and was studied by histological observations. BMP-FCM and BMP-FGM induced bone tissues in a process that resembled an endochondral ossification mode. But the FCM system induced bone formation through a direct ossification mode. BMP-carrier composites differentiate immature mesenchymal cells to either osteogenetic or chondrogenetic cells or both, depending on the physico-chemical nature of the carrier that affected the microenvironment for cell differentiation.
