1st
appeared 8 February 1999
Researchers Identify Key Genes in Bone Healing Process that
Could Lead to New Treatments
Researchers from UCSF studying bone healing in animal models have
found that two genes essential for bone formation in the fetus are also key to successful
fracture repair in the adult.
Through a clever biologic regulatory process, the two genes become inactive when fetal
development concludes but then resurface when needed to help mend broken bones.
"These findings shed new light on the bone formation process at the molecular level.
Now we can use these principles to begin to develop new clinical treatments for
troublesome fractures in which we mimic the natural healing process," said Theodore
Miclau, lead investigator and UCSF assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery who treats
patients at San Francisco General Hospital Medical Center.
Miclau presented the study findings on Feb. 5 at the annual meeting of the American
Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
"Understanding this cascade of events and the specific growth factors involved in
bone repair is a small step but a significant one. If we can replicate the pattern and
target therapy directly to the fracture site through injection, there is potential for
greatly improving our ability to treat a bone healing problem," Miclau said.
Links:
Full press release
UCSF Dept. of
Orthopaedic Surgery
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Source: Corinna Kaarlela, News
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