Fig. 8.

In vivo bone formation by C3H10T1/2 cells transduced with adenoviruses expressing Runx2 and BMP2 [from Yang et al., 2003]. Cells were transduced with indicated adenoviruses and implanted into immunodeficient mice. After 4 weeks, transplants were harvested for histological examination (a), determination of total calcium (b) and morphometric analysis (c). For morphometric analysis, results are expressed as the ratio of total bone area/total implant area. Statistical analysis: significantly different from AdLacZ, ^ap < 0.001; significantly different from AdBmp2, ^bp < 0.05. Implants of cells transduced with control virus contained residual gelfoam carrier (g) and fibrous tissue (f), but no bone or cartilage. Cells transduced with AdCMV-Runx2 alone contained small areas of both bone (b) and cartilage (c) as well as a small marrow cavity (m). Both AdCMV-BMP2 alone and AdCMV-BMP2 plus AdCMV-Runx2-treated groups formed large ossicles with clearly defined cortical and trabecular bone as well as a marrow cavity. The total amount of bone as measured either by total calcium or fractional bone area was greatest in the AdCMV-BMP2 plus AdCMV-Runx2-treated group. Control = AdCMV-lacZ control virus; B2 + R2 = cells transduced with AdCMV-BMP2 plus AdCMV-Runx2.