MEASUREMENT OF TOTAL AND LOCAL BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN-CONCENTRATION IN BONE-TUMORS

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) has been shown to be one of the signi ficant factors in the prognosis of bone tumours. In normal development BMP induces Mew bone formation and later takes part in fracture heali ng, but its function in malignant tumours is not known. In this study the concentration of bone morphogenetic protein was measured in primar y bane tumours by two methods. Local staining intensity was detected i mmunohistologically by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method determining the highest dilution of anti-serum against bovine bone morphogenetic protein. The total amount of BMP in a tumour sample was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique after digesting the tissu e with collagenase to remove proteins from the connective tissue. Immu nohistochemical staining showed that bone morphogenetic protein was pr esent in the cytoplasm and in reactive bone formed by malignant cells. The local concentration was highest in the tissue of giant cell tumou rs compared to chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma and benign bone tumours. T he total amount in malignant bone tumours was 2.4 times higher compare d to benign bone rumours.