Raphael Thys
An illustration of the human knee. iStock
A new bioengineering research helps repair damaged bones without causing the negative side effects of other treatments. The breakthrough is expected to lead to better results for patients, according to scientists.
Researchers suggest this discovery could pave the way for innovative treatments, aiding individuals with severe skeletal injuries or cancer patients who have experienced bone loss, by promoting bone tissue regrowth.
Scientists in Scotland have found a new way to harness the powerful healing effect of “growth factors” – naturally-occurring molecules that facilitate the body’s regenerative processes.
Inexpensive polymer used to develop a surgical implant
Growth factors are essential in developmental biology, orchestrating the body’s growth from infancy to adulthood. Additionally, they play a crucial role in the body’s healing process after injuries, initiating intricate processes that effectively repair and reconnect damaged tissues.
The University of Glasgow-led research team has outlined how they made their breakthrough.
They used an inexpensive polymer called poly(ethyl acrylate), or PEA, to develop a surgical implant that can be used at the site of a bone defect. The unique properties of the implant’s surface allowed the team to capture the body’s inactive growth factors and ensure they start working only where they’re required.
“The biological processes that underpin this study have been understood for more than two decades, but this is the first time that they’ve been harnessed to produce this regenerative effect,” said Dr Udesh Dhawan, Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering.
“Being able to deliver immobilised proteins directly to the treatment site in this way provides much more control over how growth factors become active and start the healing process. It also works at much lower concentrations than previous treatments, helping further minimise the chances of unwanted bone growth beyond the site in need of healing.”
Fibronectin helps cells stick together and grow
Prior research by the team revealed that PEA interacts with fibronectin, an abundant protein in the human body that promotes cell adhesion and growth, to form nanoscale networks on its surface.
As the network forms, it changes the shape of the fibronectin, exposing some of the amino acids in the fibronectin molecule. Those amino acids are naturally used in the body to help cells attach as well as store inactive proteins.
The team dropped a recombinant protein fragment called latent transforming growth factor beta-binding protein-1, or rLTBP1, onto the fibronectin network, causing the two proteins to stick together. rLTBP1 works like a magnet for a protein called TGF-β1, which encourages growth factor cells in the body to produce new bone tissue at low doses, reported Medical Express.
TGF-β1 molecules are trapped in a protein complex called LAP, which keeps the protein’s ability to encourage bone regeneration inactive until it is required.
This new treatment could have real benefits in clinical settings
Dr Dhawan stated that this is a new step in the right direction, but physiological systems are more interconnected than we can imagine, and how this new strategy affects other crucial components of the body, such as immune cells, still needs to be evaluated.
“Nevertheless, these are very encouraging results, which suggest that this new treatment could have real benefits in clinical settings to encourage bone regeneration.”
Researchers coated small plastic tubes with PEA, fibronectin and rLTBP1. Then, they demonstrated the potential of these implants to regenerate bone in critical-sized defect in mice. Over the course of the study, they observed complete regeneration of bone defect.
It could help regrow bone for patients
Professor Salmeron-Sanchez, co-director of the University of Glasgow’s Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment, stated that their approach to controlling the activation of growth factors could create new opportunities for patients in the future.
“It could help regrow bone for patients who have lost large sections to diseases like cancer or through serious accidents, providing a much higher quality of life for them.”
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The study was published in the journal Advanced Materials.
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Prabhat Ranjan Mishra Prabhat, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, is a tech and defense journalist. While he enjoys writing on modern weapons and emerging tech, he has also reported on global politics and business. He has been previously associated with well-known media houses, including the International Business Times (Singapore Edition) and ANI.