Descriptive Analysis of Possible Dural Stem/Progenitor Cells Activated in a Rat Critical-Sized Calvarial Defect Bone Regeneration Model

Bone regeneration requires local availability of stem/osteoprogenitor cells that can differentiate into osteoblasts and eventually mature bone. Current limitations in the clinical induction of bone regeneration instead of repair, are due in part, to an incomplete understanding of stem/progenitor cells, and signaling systems, such as BMPs, that regulate their activities. The purpose of this study was to utilize immunohistochemistry to investigate iPSC transcription factors effect on stem/osteoprogenitor cells located in the dural region, of a critical-sized rat calvarial defect model, and their healing response in the presence of varying concentrations of recombinant human bone morphogenic protein 2(rhBMP-2). Our results demonstrated KLF-4 and Sox-2 serve as indicators of the Yamanaka transcription factors, are present in similar time points, and respond to rhBMP-2 playing a role in the healing of a critical sized defect. Better understanding of the cell populations and their potential lend to improvement in the possibilities of regeneration procedures.