Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMDMSCs) can be genetically modified in culture and subsequently used in live horses to enhance healing of bone defects, according to Colorado State University (CSU) researchers.

"BMDMSCs are 'flexible' cells that have the capacity to become one of a variety of connective tissue cell types, including bone cells (osteoblasts). BMDMSCs can be aspirated from a horse, expanded (grown) in cell culture, then used in the same horse to enhance bone healing," relayed Laurie Goodrich, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, an assistant professor in equine lameness and surgery at CSU.

Specifically, BMDMSCs may be genetically modified to produce growth factors called bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) that increase the rate of bone formation and maturation. The ultimate goal is to place these cells in a bone defect to lead to an increase in mechanical strength of bone.

Preliminary studies have found that BMP-2 and BMP-7 could be particularly useful in bone healing

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