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Stephen M Warren

Publications and source records attributed to Stephen M Warren.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

New strategies for craniofacial repair and replacement: a brief review.

Craniofacial anomalies can severely affect the appearance, function, and psychosocial well being of patients; thus, tissue engineers are developing new techniques to functionally and aesthetically rebuild craniofacial structures. In the past decade, there have been tremendous advances in the field of tissue engineering that will substantially alter how surgeons approach craniofacial reconstruction. In this brief review, we highlight some of the preclinical recombinant protein, gene transfer, and cell-based strategies currently being developed to augment endogenous tissue repair or create structures for replacement. In addition, we discuss the importance of studying endogenous models of tissue induction and present some of the current in vitro and in vivo approaches to growing complex tissues/organs for craniofacial reconstruction.

Animals↗

Equibiaxial tensile strain affects calvarial osteoblast biology.

Mechanical tensile strain is believed to play an important role in regulating calvarial morphogenesis. To better understand the effects of mechanical strain on pathologic calvarial growth, we applied 10% constant equibiaxial tensile strain to neonatal rat calvarial osteoblast cultures and examined cellular proliferation, cytokine production, and extracellular matrix molecule expression. Mechanical strain markedly increased osteoblast proliferation as demonstrated by increased proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein. In addition, both transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) mRNA expression and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) protein production were increased with exposure to strain. Moreover, mechanical strain induced expression of the extracellular matrix molecule collagen IalphaI. To further explore the relationship between mechanotransduction, osteogenesis, and angiogenesis, we examined the effect of mechanical strain on calvarial osteoblast expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Interestingly, we found that mechanical strain induced a rapid (within 3 hrs) increase in osteoblast VEGF expression. These data suggest that constant equibiaxial tensile strain-induced mechanotransduction can influence osteoblasts to assume an "osteogenic" and "angiogenic" phenotype, and these findings may have important implications for understanding the mechanisms of pathologic strain-induced calvarial growth.

Animals↗

Regional dura mater differentially regulates osteoblast gene expression.

Recent studies have suggested that regionally differentiated dura mater regulates murine cranial suture fate by providing growth factors to the osteoblasts in the overlying suture complex. To determine if regionally differentiated dura mater is capable of effecting changes in osteoblast gene expression, an in vitro coculture system was established in which osteoblast-enriched cell cultures derived from neonatal rat calvaria were grown in serum-free media in the presence of dural cells derived from posterior frontal (PF) or sagittal (SAG) dural tissues, recapitulating the in situ relation between the underlying dura mater and the osteoblasts in the overlying cranial suture. In this study, the changes in osteoblast gene expression induced by signaling from regional dura mater were examined by analyzing total cellular RNA isolated from osteoblasts cocultured with PF or SAG dural cells. The expression of extracellular matrix molecules (alkaline phosphatase, bone sialoprotein, osteopontin, and osteocalcin) and the transcription factor Msx2 was assessed. Consistent with previous data, the findings demonstrate that osteoblasts cocultured with dural cells undergo changes in gene expression indicative of a more differentiated osteoblast. Additionally, the data suggest that regionally differentiated dura mater isolated from the PF suture enhances the expression of osteogenic genes to a greater extent than SAG suture-derived dural cells. These data support an osteoinductive role for suture-derived dural cells in vitro that may have implications for suture biology in vivo.

Animals↗

Markers of osteoblast differentiation in fusing and nonfusing cranial sutures.

Accumulating clinical genetic data support the hypothesis that alterations in osteoblast differentiation are closely associated with craniosynostoses. Gain-of-function mutations in FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, and Msx2 and loss-of-function mutations in Twist are examples of such alterations. Several studies have examined how these mutations alter the expression patterns for transcription factors such as Runx2 and noncollagenous extracellular matrix molecules such as osteopontin and osteocalcin. One limitation of such studies is that they examine samples derived from craniosynostotic patients with sutures that have already fused, thus missing the dynamic osteogenic process of suture fusion. In this study, in situ hybridization was used to localize Runx2, osteopontin, and osteocalcin expression in the sagittal and posterior frontal sutures in mice (n = 20), before (day 13), during (days 23, 33, and 43), and after (day 53) the period of physiological posterior frontal suture fusion. The data demonstrated similar patterns of expression in fusing (posterior frontal) and nonfusing (sagittal) sutures. The expression of all three genes was primarily concentrated in the osteogenic fronts of both sutures and decreased with time. Notably, none of the three genes was expressed in the mesenchyme of either fusing or nonfusing sutures. The data suggest that the molecular signals leading to bone formation along the osteogenic fronts in fusing and nonfusing sutures are similar, raising the possibility that other factors, such as antagonists of osteogenesis, might have a role in maintaining suture patency.

Animals↗

Mechanical strain affects dura mater biological processes: implications for immature calvarial healing.

The human brain grows rapidly during the first 2 years of life. This growth generates tensile strain in the overlying dura mater and neurocranium. Interestingly, it is largely during this 2-year growth period that infants are able to reossify calvarial defects. This clinical observation is important because it suggests that calvarial healing is most robust during the period of active intracranial volume expansion. With a rat model, it was previously demonstrated that immature dura mater proliferates more rapidly and produces more osteogenic cytokines and markers of osteoblast differentiation than does mature dura mater. It was therefore hypothesized that mechanical strain generated by the growing brain induces immature dura mater proliferation and increases osteogenic cytokine expression necessary for growth and healing of the overlying calvaria. Human and rat (n = 40) intracranial volume expansion was calculated as a function of age. These calculations demonstrated that 83 percent of human intracranial volume expansion is complete by 2 years of age and 90 percent of Sprague-Dawley rat intracranial volume expansion is achieved by 2 months of age. Next, the maximal daily circumferential tensile strains that could be generated in immature rat dura mater were calculated, and the corresponding daily biaxial tensile strains in the dura mater during this 2-month period were determined. With the use of a three-parameter monomolecular growth curve, it was calculated that rat dura mater experiences daily equibiaxial strains of at most 9.7 percent and 0.1 percent at birth (day 0) and 60 days of age, respectively. Because it was noted that immature dural cells may experience tensile strains as high as approximately 10 percent, neonatal rat dural cells were subjected to 10 percent equibiaxial strain in vitro, and dural cell proliferation and gene expression profiles were analyzed. When exposed to mechanical strain, immature dural cells rapidly proliferated (5.8-fold increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression at 24 hours). Moreover, mechanical strain induced marked up-regulation of dural cell osteogenic cytokine production; transforming growth factor-beta1 messenger RNA levels increased 3.4-fold at 3 hours and fibroblast growth factor-2 protein levels increased 4.5-fold at 24 hours and 5.6-fold at 48 hours. Finally, mechanical strain increased dural cell expression of markers of osteoblast differentiation (2.8-fold increase in osteopontin levels at 3 hours). These findings suggest that mechanical strain can induce changes in dura mater biological processes and gene expression that may play important roles in coordinating the growth and healing of the neonatal calvaria.

Animals↗

Innovations to the vertical reduction mammaplasty: making the transition.

The vertical reduction mammaplasty can be challenging to learn. In addition, first attempts to perform the vertical reduction mammaplasty can lead to inconsistent aesthetic results. The authors describe their transition from a traditional inverted-T reduction mammaplasty to a modified vertical reduction mammaplasty based on a technique described by Elizabeth Hall-Findlay. In their early cases using the Hall-Findlay technique, they noted several aesthetic complications. These problems included a persistent vertical dog-ear deformity at the nadir of the incision, a teardrop deformity of the nipple-areola complex, lateral deviation of the nipple, and lateral axillary fullness. They developed several modifications to the Hall-Findlay technique to correct the aesthetic deficiencies and to simplify further the vertical reduction method. The authors think their innovations facilitate the transition from a traditional inverted-T breast reduction to a successful vertical reduction mammaplasty technique.

Adult↗

The molecular biology of distraction osteogenesis.

Distraction osteogenesis has become a mainstay in bone tissue engineering and has significantly improved our armamentarium for reconstructive craniomaxillofacial procedures. However, although the biomechanical, histological, and ultrastructural changes associated with distraction osteogenesis have been widely described, the molecular mechanisms governing the formation of new bone in the interfragmental gap of gradually distracted bone segments remain largely unclear. Recently, a rat model of mandibular distraction was described that provides an excellent environment for deciphering the molecular mechanisms that mediate distraction osteogenesis. This article presents the hypotheses and current research that have furthered knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that govern distraction osteogenesis. Recent studies have implicated a growing number of cytokines that are intimately involved in the regulation of bone synthesis and turnover. The gene regulation of numerous cytokines (transforming growth factor-beta1, -beta2, -beta3, bone morphogenetic proteins, insulin-like growth factor-1, fibroblast growth factor-2) and extracellular matrix proteins (osteonectin, osteopontin) during distraction osteogenesis have been best characterized and are discussed in this article. It is believed that understanding the biomolecular mechanisms that mediate membranous distraction osteogenesis may guide the development of targeted strategies designed to improve distraction osteogenesis and accelerate bone healing.

Animals↗

The subunit approach to nasal tip hemangiomas.

Many surgeons who operate on nasal tip hemangiomas find a central vertical scar frustrating. Alternatives such as open rhinoplasty provide great exposure, but the redraping leaves unsightly scars along the alar rim and columella. Therefore, a new aesthetic incision was needed to allow hemangioma reduction in both the horizontal and vertical dimensions while providing adequate access to the lower lateral cartilage for soft-tissue reduction and/or suturing. The subunit incision, based on the pioneering work of Burget and Menick, was developed to provide both excellent exposure and cosmesis. By designing the incision to lie along the contour lines of the nasal subunits, the senior author (B.M.Z.) believed that the border scars would reflect lines of light and cast linear shadows that would mimic the normal ridges and valleys that separate the topographic subunits of the nose. Based on the results of nine recent cases, the authors believe the subunit incision is currently the best approach to correcting nasal tip hemangiomas.

Child, Preschool↗

Co-culture of osteoblasts with immature dural cells causes an increased rate and degree of osteoblast differentiation.

For decades surgeons have exploited the ability of infants to reossify large calvarial defects. To demonstrate the role of dura mater-osteoblast communication during the process of calvarial reossification, the authors used a novel in vitro system that recapitulates the in vivo anatomic relationship of these cell populations. Primary cultures of osteoblast cells from 2-day-old Sprague-Dawley rat pups were grown on six-well plates, and cultures of immature, non-suture-associated dura mater cells from 6-day-old Sprague-Dawley rat pups were grown on Transwell inserts. When the osteoblast and dura mater cell cultures reached confluence, they were combined. This Transwell co-culture system permitted the two cell populations to grow together in the same well, but it prevented direct cell-to-cell contact. Therefore, the authors were able to determine, for the first time, whether paracrine signaling from immature, non-suture-associated dura mater could influence the biologic activity of osteoblasts. Osteoblasts co-cultured with dural cells proliferated significantly faster after 2 days (2.1 x 10(5) +/- 2.4 x 10(4) versus 1.4 x 10(5) +/- 2.2 x 10(4), p < or = 0.05) and 4 days (3.1 x 10(5) +/- 5 x 10(4) versus 2.2 x 10(5) +/- 4.0 x 10(4), p < or = 0.01) than did osteoblasts cultured alone. After 20 days, co-cultured osteoblasts expressed greater amounts of mRNA for several markers of osteoblast differentiation, including collagen I alpha I (4-fold), alkaline phosphatase (2.5-fold), osteopontin (3-fold), and osteocalcin (4-fold), than did osteoblasts cultured alone. After 30 days, co-cultured osteoblasts produced bone nodules that were significantly greater both in number (324 +/- 29 nodules versus 252 +/- 29 nodules per well, p , < or = 0.04) and total area of nodules (65 +/- 11 mm(2) versus 24 +/- 1.6 mm(2), p < or = 0.003) than osteoblasts cultured alone. To begin to understand how dural cells effect changes in osteoblast gene expression, the authors compared the expression of candidate genes, transforming growth factor beta 1 and fibroblast growth factor 2, in dural cells and osteoblasts before and after 5 days of culture. Interestingly, the dura mater produced marked amounts of these osteogenic cytokines compared with osteoblasts.The described co-culture system demonstrated that co-cultured osteoblasts proliferated more rapidly and experienced an increased rate and degree of cellular maturation than did osteoblasts cultured alone. The authors hypothesize that this effect was due to paracrine signaling (e.g., transforming growth factor beta 1 and fibroblast growth factor 2) from the dura mater, and they are investigating those mechanisms in ongoing experiments. Collectively these data verify that immature, non-suture-associated dura mater can influence the biologic activity of osteoblasts. Moreover, the production of cytokines derived from the dura mater (e.g., transforming growth factor beta 1 and fibroblast growth factor 2), and they may begin to explain why immature animals and infants with intact dura mater can reossify large calvarial defects.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Dura mater biology: autocrine and paracrine effects of fibroblast growth factor 2.

The dura mater, the outermost layer of the meninges, is thought to be essential for calvarial morphogenesis, postnatal suture fusion, and osseous repair of calvarial defects. Despite numerous studies illustrating the fundamental role of the dura mater, there is little information about the autocrine and paracrine mechanisms regulating dural cell biology during calvarial ossification. Previous work conducted in the authors' laboratory demonstrated that non-suture-associated dural cells from 6-day-old rat pups expressed high levels of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), whereas dural cells from 60-day-old adult rats expressed very little FGF-2. Because young mammals can successfully heal large calvarial defects, the authors sought to investigate the autocrine and/or paracrine effects of FGF-2 on the proliferation, gene expression, and alkaline phosphatase production of dural cells. Cultures of non-suture-associated dural cells were established from 6-day-old Sprague-Dawley rat pups and then stimulated with recombinant human FGF-2 (rhFGF-2; 10 ng/ml). Dural cells stimulated with rhFGF-2 proliferated significantly faster than untreated dural cells at 24 hours (2.1 x 10(5) +/- 3.2 x 10(4) versus 1.1 x 10(5) +/- 1.8 x 10(4), p < or = 0.001) and 48 hours (2.3 x 10(5) +/- 4.2 x 10(4) versus 1.2 x 10(5) +/- 1.3 x 10(4), p < or = 0.001). Moreover, dural cells stimulated with rhFGF-2 expressed 7-fold more proliferating cell nuclear antigen than did control cultures. Treatment with rhFGF-2 increased dural cell expression of genes important for skeletal repair: FGF-2 (7-fold), transforming growth factor beta 1 (3-fold), transforming growth factor beta 3 (4-fold), and type I collagen (4-fold). Furthermore, rhFGF-2 increased dural cell expression of osteopontin (2-fold), a "late" marker of osteoblastic differentiation. Interestingly, dural cell alkaline phosphatase activity, an "earlier" marker of osteoblast differentiation, was significantly decreased by treatment with rhFGF-2 compared with control cultures at 24 hours (0.005 +/- 0.001 versus 0.01 +/- 0.003, p < or = 0.01) and 48 hours (0.004 +/- 0.0009 versus 0.01 +/- 0.0009). Together these data provide insight into the autocrine and paracrine effects of FGF-2 on the biology of the dura mater.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Transport distraction osteogenesis: a new method to heal adult calvarial defects.

Popularized by Gavril Ilizarov in the 1960s, monofocal distraction osteogenesis has become a well-established method of endogenous bone engineering. This revolutionary surgical technique has significantly augmented the available reconstructive orthopedic and craniomaxillofacial procedures. Bifocal distraction osteogenesis, or bone transportation, is a modification of monofocal distraction that involves moving a free segment of living bone to fill an intercalary bone defect. Bifocal distraction has been applied successfully to reconstruct complex mandibular and long bone defects. Because traumatic or postsurgical calvarial defects do not spontaneously heal in humans older than 18 to 24 months of age, we hypothesized that bifocal distraction osteogenesis could be applied to the skull to close critical size calvarial defects. Critical size (15 x 15 mm) calvarial defects were created in eight New Zealand White rabbits. Next, a 15-mm x 10-mm calvarial box osteotomy was created just anterior to the skull defect. This osteotomy created a free bone segment that could be transported. A custom-made transport distraction device was fixed into place and the skin incision was closed. After a 4-day latency period, the distraction device was activated (0.5 mm once daily for 30 days) in seven animals; the distraction device in one animal was not activated and served as a control. All animals underwent 30 days of consolidation and were then killed. Radiographs and computed tomographic scans were performed at the following time points: end of latency period (postoperative day 4), mid-distraction (postoperative day 19), and end of consolidation period (postoperative day 64). Gross and histologic analysis was performed to evaluate the quality of the bony regenerate. The control animal healed with a fibrous union. Complete closure of the skull defects was observed in five of seven rabbits at the end of the consolidation period. One animal was removed from the study because of an early loosening of the distraction device, and one was removed because of device failure. Of the remaining five animals that completed the distraction protocol, radiographs and computerized tomographic scans showed successful ossification in all five rabbits at the end of the consolidation period. This study suggests that transport distraction osteogenesis is a promising technique that may be applied to a variety of commonly encountered craniofacial problems such as nonhealing calvarial defects.

Age Factors↗

Rescue of an in vitro palate nonfusion model using interposed embryonic mesenchyme.

The authors previously established an in vitro palate nonfusion model on the basis of a spatial separation between prefusion embryonic day 13.5 mouse palates (term gestation, 19.5 days). They found that an interpalatal separation distance of 0.48 mm or greater would consistently result in nonfusion after 4 days in organ culture. In the present study, they interposed embryonic palatal mesenchymal tissue between embryonic day 13.5 mouse palatal shelves with interpalatal separation distances greater than 0.48 mm in an attempt to "rescue" this in vitro palate nonfusion phenotype. Because no medial epithelial bilayer (i.e., medial epithelial seam) could potentially form, palatal fusion in vitro was defined as intershelf mesenchymal continuity with resolution of the medial edge epithelia bilaterally. Forty-two (n = 42) palatal shelf pairs from embryonic day 13.5 CD-1 mouse embryos were isolated and placed on cell culture inserts at precisely graded distances (0, 0.67, and 0.95 mm). Positive controls consisted of shelves placed in contact (n = 6). Negative controls consisted of shelves placed at interpalatal separation distances of 0.67 mm (n = 6) and 0.95 mm (n = 7) with no interposed mesenchyme. Experimental groups consisted of embryonic day 13.5 palatal shelves separated by 0.67 mm (n = 11) and 0.95 mm (n = 12) with interposed lateral palatal mesenchyme isolated at the time of palatal shelf harvest. Specimens were cultured for 4 days (n = 19) or 10 days (n = 23), harvested, and evaluated histologically. All positive controls at 4 and 10 days in culture showed complete histologic palatal fusion. All negative controls at 4 days and 10 days in culture remained unfused. Five of six palatal shelves separated at 0.67 mm interpalatal separation distance with interposed mesenchyme were fused at 4 days, and all five were fused at 10 days. At an interpalatal separation distance of 0.95 mm with interposed mesenchyme (n = 12), no palates (zero of four) were fused at 4 days, but seven of eight were fused at 10 days. These data suggest that nonfused palatal shelves can be "rescued" with an interposed graft of endogenous embryonic mesenchyme to induce fusion in vitro.

Animals↗

Hypoxia and VEGF up-regulate BMP-2 mRNA and protein expression in microvascular endothelial cells: implications for fracture healing.

The endothelium is a metabolically active secretory tissue, capable of responding to a wide array of environmental stimuli. Hypoxia and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are two components of the putative fracture microenvironment. This study investigated the role of hypoxia and VEGF on endothelial cell activation as it relates to the bone repair process. It was hypothesized that endothelial cells may have an important osteogenic role in fracture healing through the production of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), an osteogenic cytokine at the fracture site. Therefore, BMP-2 mRNA and protein expression in endothelial cells under hypoxia and/or VEGF treatment was studied. The authors observed a 2-fold to 3-fold up-regulation of BMP-2 mRNA expression in bovine capillary endothelial cells and human microvascular endothelial cells stimulated with hypoxia or rhVEGF. Furthermore, the combined effects of hypoxia and rhVEGF appeared to be additive on BMP-2 mRNA expression in bovine capillary endothelial cells. Actinomycin D and cycloheximide studies suggested that the increased mRNA expression was transcriptionally regulated. BMP-2 protein expression was up-regulated after 24 and 48 hours of treatment with either hypoxia or rhVEGF in bovine capillary endothelial cells. Surprisingly, the data suggest that endothelial cells may play not only an angiogenic role but also an osteogenic role by a direct stimulation of the osteoblasts, through the enhanced expression of a potent osteogenic factor, BMP-2, at the fracture site.

Adrenal Glands↗

Factors in the fracture microenvironment induce primary osteoblast angiogenic cytokine production.

Neoangiogenesis is essential for successful wound repair. Platelets are among the earliest cells recruited to a site of skeletal injury and are thought to provide numerous factors critical to successful repair. The release of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) after skeletal injury increases osteoblast proliferation, chemotaxis, and collagen synthesis; however, its angiogenic effect on osteoblast biology remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of recombinant human (rh)PDGF-BB on the synthesis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by primary neonatal rat calvarial osteoblasts. Furthermore, the authors investigated whether PDGF works in concert with hypoxia, another component of the fracture microenvironment, to additively or synergistically induce VEGF production. Osteoblast cultures were stimulated with varying concentrations of rhPDGF-BB (1, 10, 50, and 100 ng/ml) in normoxic and hypoxic (<1% oxygen) conditions for 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours, and VEGF gene expression was analyzed by Northern blot analysis. To determine whether rhPDGF-BB-induced VEGF messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was transcriptionally mediated or required de novo protein synthesis, transcription, and translation, studies were performed using actinomycin D and cycloheximide, respectively. Treatment with 50 ng/ml rhPDGF-BB resulted in a 2.4-fold increase in VEGF mRNA expression after 3 hours. Interestingly, rhPDGF-BB and hypoxia seemed to have an additive effect, resulting in a 3.7-fold increase in VEGF mRNA expression after 6 hours in primary neonatal rat calvarial osteoblasts. Furthermore, by using actinomycin D and cycloheximide, the authors demonstrated that the rhPDGF-BB-induced VEGF mRNA expression was transcriptionally mediate and not dependent on de novo protein synthesis. These data demonstrate that rhPDGF-BB transcriptionally increases osteoblasts VEGF mRNA expression in vitro. Furthermore, the semiquantitative results suggest that rhPDGF-BB and hypoxia act additively to increase VEGF mRNA expression. It is postulated that similar mechanisms may occur in vivo, at a site of skeletal injury, to induce neoangiogenesis and promote fracture repair.

Animals↗

New directions in bioabsorbable technology.

Generating replacement tissues requires an interdisciplinary approach that combines developmental, cell, and molecular biology with biochemistry, immunology, engineering, medicine, and the material sciences. Because basic cues for tissue engineering may be derived from endogenous models, investigators are learning how to imitate nature. Endogenous models may provide the biological blueprints for tissue restoration, but there is still much to learn. Interdisciplinary barriers must be overcome to create composite, vascularized, patient-specific tissue constructs for replacement and repair. Although multistep, multicomponent tissue fabrication requires an amalgamation of ideas, the following review is limited to the new directions in bioabsorbable technology. The review highlights novel bioabsorbable design and therapeutic (gene, protein, and cell-based) strategies currently being developed to solve common spine-related problems.

Absorbable Implants↗

New directions in bioabsorbable technology.

Generating replacement tissues requires an interdisciplinary approach that combines developmental, cell, and molecular biology with biochemistry, immunology, engineering, medicine, and the material sciences. Since the basic cues for tissue engineering may be derived from endogenous models, investigators are learning how to imitate nature. Endogenous models may provide the biologic blueprints for tissue restoration, but there is still much to learn. Interdisciplinary barriers must be overcome to create composite, vascularized, patient-specific tissue constructs for replacement and repair. Although multistep, multicomponent tissue fabrication requires an amalgamation of ideas, the following review is limited to the new directions in bioabsorbable technology. The review highlights novel bioabsorbable design and therapeutic (gene, protein, and cell-based) strategies that are currently being developed to solve common spinal problems.

Absorbable Implants↗