title: Bone morphogenetic proteins in musculoskeletal medicine.
abstract: Ongoing research at the molecular level has expanded our understanding of the physiological processes that regulate the complex phenomena of fracture healing and bone regeneration. A number of key molecules have been identified and shown to facilitate the progression of healing from one stage to another, leading to an uneventful outcome. Among these candidate molecules, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) possess potent osteoinductive properties. They interact with osteoprogenitor cells, regulating both mitogenesis and differentiation potential. Since the discovery of BMPs, a number of experimental and clinical trials have supported their safety and efficacy of their use in therapy. Nonetheless, at times their efficacy falls short of expectations. Several factors have been identified as contributing to this result. It is anticipated that, as our knowledge expands and we understand better the complex pathways and cascades of molecular events attributable to BMPs, the application of these molecules in the clinical setting will continue to increase and to show more favourable outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Leeds General Infirmary, Great George Street, Leeds LS1 3EX, UK. pgiannoudi@aol.com
authors.forename: Peter V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Giannoudis
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Einhorn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004337:Drug Carriers; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000639:trends*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D004337:Drug Carriers; D011994:Recombinant Proteins