[Fracture repair and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)].
The process of fracture healing involves a number of regenerative mechanisms underlying the skeletal systems, and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) has been believed to be a key molecule during the reaction. Recent investigations showed that several members of BMPs are induced and activated by the impact of fracture, and play important roles via BMP receptors/Smads pathways. BMPs are newly synthesized by callus-forming cells near the fracture site, and form a "BMP-network" at the fracture callus. The "BMP-network" contributes to the regulation of callus formation, and the network contains noggin, sonic hedgehog (Shh), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF). Potential roles of BMPs during fracture repair open the way towards the formulation of new therapeutic strategies for promising fracture management. Recent molecular technologies with use of recombinant BMP and gene therapy will lead to the development of less-invasive and more successful fracture treatment.
Nakase
Takanobu
T
Hoshigaokakouseinenkin Hospital, Department of Orthopaedic Suregry.
Yoshikawa
Hideki
H