Function and clinical applications of bone morphogenetic proteins in bone repair / 国际生物医学工程杂志

ABSTRACT

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, acting as important regulators in embryogenesis and bone and cartilage formation and repair.The complexity of BMPs action has early been unveiled by generous cell and molecular biology approaches and transgenic animal studies.Genetic engineering allows for the mass production of BMPs for clinical use of bone repair, but the desirable scaffold material is also needed to ensure controlled release and maximum biological activity of BMPs at the surgical site.Currently, BMP-2 and BMP-7 have been approved by United States Food and Drug Administration for clinical therapy in long bone fracture, spinal fusion and oral and maxillofacial surgery.The results are satisfactory, but the side effects have been also widely concerned.The functions and clinical applications of BMPs in bon repair are reviewed.