Platelet-derived growth factor inhibits bone regeneration induced by osteogenin, a bone morphogenetic protein, in rat craniotomy defects

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a potent moderator of soft tissue repair through induction of the inflammatory phase of repair and subsequent enhanced collagen deposition. We examined the effect of recombinant BB homodimer PDGF (rPDGF-BB) applied to rat craniotomy defects, treated with and without bovine osteogenin (OG), to see if bone regeneration would be stimulated. Implants containing 0, 20, 60, or 200 μg rPDGF-BB, reconstituted with insoluble rat collagenous bone matrix containing 0, 30, or 150 μg OG, were placed into 8-mm craniotomies. After 11 d, 21 of the 144 rats presented subcutaneous masses superior to the defect sites. The masses, comprised of serosanguinous fluid encapsulated by fibrous connective tissue, were larger and occurred more frequently in rats treated with 200 μg rPDGF-BB, and were absent in rats not treated with rPDGF-BB. The masses underwent resorption within 28 d after surgery. OG (2-256 μg) caused a dose-dependent increase in radiopacity and a marked regeneration of calcified tissue in a dose-dependent fashion within defect sites. However, OG-induced bone regeneration was inhibited 17-53% in the presence of rPDGF-BB. These results suggest that rPDGF-BB inhibited OG-induced bone regeneration and stimulated a soft tissue repair wound phenotype and response.