RECOMBINANT BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEINS - NOVEL SUBSTANCES FOR ENHANCING BONE HEALING

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are differentiative factors whose p rincipal function is to induce transformation of undifferentiated mese nchymal cells into chondroblasts and osteoblasts in a dose-dependent m anner. Bone morphogenetic proteins have been isolated postnatally in m ammals from bone matrix, periosteal cells, mesenchymal cells of marrow stroma, tooth anlagen, and cells of osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma. Distribution in additional embryonic tissues implies a broader organog enic function. Bone morphogenetic proteins are the only differentiativ e factors able to singularly induce de novo bone formation in vitro an d in vivo. Recombinant DNA technology allows their production in large and highly purified quantities. The BMPs' osteoinductive ability has been shown with a variety of carriers including collagens and polymers at heterotopic and orthotopic sites in a wide range of species. They are presently being readied for clinical use as alternatives to bone g rafts. Other potential applications include use as pulp capping agents , promoters of implant osteointegration and soft tissue reunion with b one, treatments for nonadaptive bone disease, and implants for use wit h mitotically expanded skeletal stem cell populations. Errors in the g enetic coding of BMPs may manifest as clinical disease entities. (C) 1 995 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons