Effect of PDGF-BB, IGF-I Growth Factors and their Combination Carried by Liposomes in Tooth Socket Healing

This work evaluated the bone-forming potential of the platelet-derived growth factor isoform BB (PDGF-BB), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and mixed PDGF-BB/IGF-I delivered in liposomes compared with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), in the healing process of rat tooth sockets. One hundred and twelve Wistar rats were randomized into 7 groups of 16 animals each and were evaluated at 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after extraction of the maxillary second molars. The left sockets were treated with PBS (P), empty liposome (L), IGF-I in PBS (IP), IGF-I in liposome (IL), PDGF-BB in PBS (PDP), PDGF-BB in liposome (PDL) and both growth factors (GFs) together within liposomes (PDIL). The right sockets were filled with blood clot (BC). Histological and histomorphometric analyses were used to evaluate the formation of new bone and blood vessels. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression of osteocalcin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during bone repair. Data were tested statistically using a Tukey's test according to a Dunn's analysis and Mann-Whitney U test followed by Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis. Results were considered significant when p<0.05. A significantly higher percentage of bone trabeculae and a higher number of blood vessels were observed in the IL, PDL and PDIL groups (p<0.05). However, these GF-liposome groups had statistically similar results. Immunohistochemical assays first detected osteocalcin and VEGF expression at 3 days followed by a peak at 7 days. Lower immunoreactivity levels were observed in the BC, L, P, IP and PDP groups compared with the IL, PDL and PDIL groups (p<0.05). The results suggest that GFs carried by liposomes, either in isolated or mixed forms, enhanced the healing process in rat tooth sockets. The differential expression of the osteogenic markers VEGF and osteocalcin in the early phases of bone healing support these findings.

Este trabalho avaliou o potencial de formação óssea do fator de crescimento derivado de plaquetas na isoforma BB (PDGF-BB), fator de crescimento semelhante à insulina I (IGF-I), e a mistura PDGF-BB/IGF-I administrada em lipossomas comparando com tampão fosfato salino (PBS), no processo de cicatrização de alvéolos dentários de ratos. Cento e doze ratos Wistar foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em 7 grupos de 16 animais cada e foram avaliados aos 3, 7, 14 e 21 dias após a extração dos segundos molares maxilares. Os alvéolos esquerdos foram tratados com PBS (P), lipossomas vazios (L), IGF-I em PBS (IP), IGF-I em lipossomas (IL), PDGF-BB em PBS (PDP), PDGF-BB em lipossomas (PDL) e ambos os fatores de crescimento (GFs) em associação dentro de lipossomas (PDIL). Os alvéolos direitos foram preenchidos com coágulo sanguíneo (BC). As análises histomorfométrica e histológica foram utilizadas para avaliar a formação de novo osso e vasos sanguíneos. Imunohistoquímica foi realizada para avaliar a expressão de osteocalcina e o fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF) durante o reparo ósseo. Os dados foram testados estatisticamente utilizando o teste de Tukey em acordo com análise de Dunn e o teste Mann-Whitney U seguido pela análise de um passo de Kruskal-Wallis. Os resultados foram considerados significantes quando p<0,05. Uma percentagem altamente significativa de osso trabecular e alto número de vasos sanguíneos foram observados nos grupos IL, PDL e PDIL (p<0,05). Todavia, esses grupos lipossoma-GF tiveram resultados similares estatisticamente. Ensaios de imunohistoquímica inicialmente detectaram a expressão de osteocalcina e VEGF aos 3 dias, seguida por um pico aos 7 dias. Niveis mais baixos de imunorreatividade foram observados em BC, L, P, PI e PDP quando comparados com os grupos IL, PDL e PDIL (p<0,05). Os resultados sugerem que GFs carreados por lipossomas, na forma isolada ou em combinação, aceleram o processo de cicatrização em alvéolos dentários de rato. A expressão diferencial dos marcadores osteogênicos VEGF e osteocalcina, nas fases iniciais de cicatrização óssea, confirma esses achados.

Comparative analysis of noncoding sequences of orthologous bovine and human gene pairs

Genomic sequence comparison across species has enabled the elucidation of important coding and regulatory sequences encoded within DNA. Of particular interest are the noncoding regulatory sequences, which influence gene transcriptional and posttranscriptional processes. A phylogenetic footprinting strategy was employed to identify noncoding conservation patterns of 39 human and bovine orthologous genes. Seventy-three conserved noncoding sequences were identified that shared greater than 70% identity over at least 100 bp. Thirteen of these conserved sequences were also identified in the mouse genome. Evolutionary conservation of noncoding sequences across diverse species may have functional significance, and these conserved sequences may be good candidates for regulatory elements.