Alginate hydrogel linked with synthetic oligopeptide derived from BMP-2 allows ectopic osteoinduction in vivo

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) are unique molecules with a specific biol ogical activity for inducing ectopic bone formation when implanted with a s uitable carrier matrix. However, incorporation of BMP into the carrier has disadvantages, including early burst release and protein degradation in bio logical Environments. Therefore, we considered that the next greatest chall enge in achieving successful clinical use was the development of a carrier system for site-specific delivery of the morphogenetic signal of BMP. in th is study, a novel BMP-2-derived oligopeptide, NSVNSKIPKACCVPTELSAI, was cou pled covalently to alginate. Then NSVNSKIPKACCVPTELSAI-linked alginate hydr ogel composites were implanted into the calf muscle of rats and harvested 3 or 8 weeks after surgery. Ectopic bone formation was observed in alginate hydrogel linked with BMP-2-derived peptide. It is suggested that alginate h ydrogel linked with an oligopeptide derived from BMP-2 might provide an alt ernative system for topical delivery of the morphogenetic signal of BMP-2. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.