Texas A&M Team Regenerates Bone and Joints in Mice With 2-Step Growth Factor Treatment
Updated
Updated · Good News Network · Jun 23
Texas A&M Team Regenerates Bone and Joints in Mice With 2-Step Growth Factor Treatment
1 articles · Updated · Good News Network · Jun 23
Summary
Nature Communications published a mouse study showing a 2-step treatment regenerated bone, joint structures, ligaments and tendons after amputation, though the rebuilt anatomy was not a perfect replica.
FGF2 was applied after wound closure to push fibroblasts away from scar formation and into a blastema-like state; BMP2 followed days later to direct those cells to build new structures.
The work suggests mammalian regeneration can be triggered without transplanting stem cells, instead by reprogramming cells already present at the injury site and even changing their positional identity.
Because BMP2 is already FDA approved for some uses and FGF2 is in multiple clinical trials, the researchers say the nearer-term opportunity may be reducing scarring and improving wound repair rather than regrowing whole limbs.