title: Expression of BMP-4 mRNA during distraction osteogenesis in rabbits.
abstract: We characterized the presence and localization of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) mRNA in the regenerating tissues produced by distraction osteogenesis following tibial osteotomy in the rabbit. The findings are consistent with previous reports on the localization of BMP-4 mRNA expression during fracture repair. The BMP-4 gene is expressed by less differentiated osteoprogenitor cells (fibroblastic mesenchymal cells and preosteoblasts), and not by fully differentiated osteoblasts. BMP-4 gene expression is localized in callus-forming tissue (muscle, periosteum) during callus formation. Our observations suggest that the BMP-4 gene product is one of the local contributing factors in regulating bone and cartilage formation in distraction osteogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Oxford, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, U.K. gang.li@orthopaedic-surgery.ox.ac.uk
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berven
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Triffitt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000502:physiology; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D011817:Rabbits; D013977:Tibia / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: C525809:BMP4 protein, human; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger