UCLA Researchers Discover New Method to Generate Human Bone

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By studying diseases in which the human body generates too much bone, UCLA researchers have discovered and isolated a natural molecule that can be used to heal fractures and generate new bone growth in patients who lack it.

 

lefthttp://hypography.com/gallery/files/9/9/8/6075a_thumb.jpg[/img]Bioengineering professor Ben Wu at UCLA's Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, and Kang Ting, Thomas R. Bales Professor at UCLA's School of Dentistry, are developing a new molecule they've named UCB, or University of California Bone.

 

The core technology developed by Wu and Ting is potentially the most significant advancement in bone regeneration since the discovery of bone morphogenetic proteins by Dr. Marshall Urist at UCLA in the 1960s.

 

"For the average person, this new development potentially means faster, more reliable bone healing with fewer side effects at a lower cost," Ting said. "In more severe cases, such as in children born with congenital anomalies, the new protein may offer an advanced solution to repair cleft palates, which involves bone deficiencies, and also aid in repairing other bone defects such as fractures, spinal fusion and implant integration."

 

UCB differs significantly from bone morphogenetic protein, the protein currently used by orthopaedic surgeons to aid in bone repair, in that UCB potentially has fewer side effects. With bone morphogenetic proteins, bone formation has been observed to occur at locations outside of the intended implant site, and tissue other than bone also has been reported.

 

 

righthttp://hypography.com/gallery/files/9/9/8/6075b_thumb.jpg[/img]In contrast, UCB's main effects appear to be more specific towards bone formation process, giving surgeons increased control over where bone forms. According to Wu, UCB is more specific because it works downstream from the body's "master switch" for bone formation. Because the two molecules act on different targets, UCB also works synergistically with bone morphogenetic proteins to form more bone than typically is possible with bone morphogenetic proteins alone.

 

The key to success for these proteins is designing the right carrier - using the protein alone is not effective. Currently, bone morphogenetic proteins are delivered with a collagen-sponge into the area where bone growth is needed. The sponge offers few biological benefits for the surgeon, and proteins can migrate away from the sponge.

 

In contrast, the team at UCLA is developing a carrier that is engineered for UCB activities in the biological environment.

 

"It's the right combination of carrier and protein that further increases the stability and activity of UCB," Ting said. "For certain clinical applications, we will need to develop injectable options that are minimally invasive. For other clinical applications, we will need moldable carriers that can hold the UCB in place better. By making life easier for the surgeons, they can focus on the surgery. Ultimately, the patient benefits."

 

Another current option is to use the patient's own bone grafted from another part of the body.

 

"Right now, we are doing a lot of spinal fusions and these fusions require us to have bone graft material. The problem with taking a patient's own bone for this procedure is that aside from the pain, which often becomes severe and persistent, there is a high risk of infection. This adds higher risk to the surgery," said Dr. Jeffrey Wang, chief of orthopaedic spine service at the UCLA Comprehensive Spine Center. "The discovery of UCB could potentially be a better way to do spinal fusion. Used in conjunction with cartilage growth, this discovery may completely change the way we look at things in the future."

 

Bone morphogenetic proteins, found in demineralized bone, were discovered in the 1960s, but until the advent of biotechnology, the arduous process and high cost associated with making them from animal-derived bone was deemed too difficult. To date, only two companies have received FDA approval for bone morphogenetic proteins, making the product costly and the treatment prohibitive for many.

 

Ting, who works frequently with children who have congenital anomalies, began his bone research eight years ago. Wu joined him three years ago, and their collaboration resulted in the recent discovery.

 

"I thought it was important to understand how accelerated bone growth in one situation might be applied to situations where more bone growth could accelerate healing in those patients who lacked normal or necessary bone formation," Ting said. "This discovery will provide another option for patients. Competition will make treatment options safer, less expensive and more accessible for those families who really need it."

 

The team of UCLA researchers, under the business name Bone Biologics, already has begun forming partnerships that may assist in the development of appropriate carriers for UCB. The Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, the nation's largest tissue bank, has signed a collaborative development agreement with Wu and Ting to provide customized tissue forms to support the delivery of UCB.

 

"We are excited by the initial work of Drs. Wu and Ting," said Bruce Stroever, president and CEO of the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation. "The development of new protein sources tied to an appropriate carrier that encourages new bone formation and speeds healing is work that is synergistic to the foundation's mission of advancing the science of bone, ligament, cartilage and skin transplantation. We are pleased to be working with UCLA."

 

Wu and Ting anticipate FDA approval and first sales of the product in the next seven to nine years.

 

Other collaborators on this technology include Dr. Xinli Zhang and Dr. Chia Soo at UCLA, and Dr. Shunichi Kuroda at Osaka University.

 

The new technology recently has been awarded the prestigious 2005 Hatton Award from the International Association of Dental Research.

 

Source: UCLA