Role Of Tgf-Beta 1 Expressed In Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Promoting Bone Formation In A Rabbit Femoral Defect Model

Bone defects represent a major clinical and socioeconomic problem without suitable treatment options. Previous studies have shown that transforming growth factor 1 (TGF-beta 1) is important in the development of various diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of rabbit bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) expressing TGF-beta 1 in the treatment of rabbit femoral defects. First, rabbit BMSCs were identified and cultured. TGF-beta 1 was then stably overexpressed in the rabbit BMSCs by lentivirus transfection, which was expressed at a high level in the femoral defects treated with TGF-beta 1-overexpressing BMSCs, compared with PBS-treated controls. In addition, the TGF-beta 1-overexpressing BMSCs promoted new bone formation in the rabbit femoral defect model, and increased the expression of bone-related markers at week 2 and week 6. Therefore, the study demonstrated that BMSCs overexpressing TGF-beta 1 may provide a novel therapeutic option for femoral defects.