Growth factors and bone regeneration: how much bone can we expect?
Aaron Nauth1, Bill Ristevski, Ru Li
1Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaeadics, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. aaron.nauth@utoronto.ca
Injury
|April 15, 2011
Summary
Growth factors, particularly bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), are explored as alternatives to bone grafting for bone regeneration. However, the optimal growth factor for bone regeneration remains unclear, necessitating further research.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics and Regenerative Medicine
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Autogenous bone grafting is a current standard for bone regeneration.
- Growth factors are being investigated as alternatives to bone grafting.
- Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are the most studied growth factors for bone regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical evidence for growth factor application in bone regeneration.
- To focus on the clinical evidence of BMPs for bone regeneration.
- To discuss emerging evidence for non-BMP growth factors in bone regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pre-clinical and clinical studies.
- Focus on clinical evidence for BMPs.
- Inclusion of emerging evidence for other growth factors.
Main Results:
- Extensive research exists on BMPs for bone regeneration.
- The ideal growth factor or combination for bone regeneration is not yet defined.
- Clinical evidence for BMPs is available, alongside emerging data for other factors.
Conclusions:
- Growth factors show promise for bone regeneration as alternatives to autografts.
- Further research is needed to define the optimal growth factor or combination.
- BMPs have significant clinical evidence, but other factors are emerging.
Related Concept Videos
01:40Bone Remodeling
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
01:31Bone Remodeling and Repair
Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
01:17Hormones and Bone Tissue
The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
01:27Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue
Chondrocytes form a temporary cartilaginous model by dividing and secreting a thick gel-like extracellular matrix. Once the chondrocytes undergo programmed cell death, osteoblasts enter the site of the cartilaginous model. The process of replacing the temporary cartilaginous model with bone in an ordered manner is called endochondral ossification. In endochondral ossification, not all of the cartilage is replaced by bone tissue. Some cartilage that performs a protective and supportive function...
01:19Overview of Regeneration and Repair
Regeneration and repair processes are critical in healing damages caused by injury, disease, and aging. In regeneration, the damaged tissue is entirely replaced with new growth that restores the original architecture and function. In contrast, tissue repair usually results in a fixed tissue architecture involving scar formation. Scars generally do not reestablish tissue function and may also exhibit structural abnormalities at the injury site.
Regeneration
All animals have varying degrees of...
Regeneration
All animals have varying degrees of...