Fgf-18 Is Required for Osteogenesis But Not Angiogenesis During Long Bone Repair TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A Behr, B., Sorkin, M., Manu, A., Lehnhardt, M., Longaker, M. T., Quarto, N. 2011; 17 (15-16): 2061-2069

Abstract

Bone regeneration is a complex event that requires the interaction of numerous growth factors. Fibroblast growth factor (Fgf)-ligands have been previously described for their importance in osteogenesis during development. In the current study, we investigated the role of Fgf-18 during bone regeneration. By utilizing a unicortical tibial defect model, we revealed that mice haploinsufficient for Fgf-18 have a markedly reduced healing capacity as compared with wild-type mice. Reduced levels of Runx2 and Osteocalcin but not Vegfa accompanied the impaired bone regeneration. Interestingly, our data indicated that upon injury angiogenesis was not impaired in Fgf-18(+/-) mice. Moreover, other Fgf-ligands and Bmp-2 could not compensate for the loss of Fgf-18. Finally, application of FGF-18 protein was able to rescue the impaired healing in Fgf-18(+/-) mice. Thus, we identified Fgf-18 as an important mediator of bone regeneration, which is required during later stages of bone regeneration. This study provides hints on how to engineering efficiently programmed bony tissue for long bone repair.

View details for DOI 10.1089/ten.tea.2010.0719

View details for Web of Science ID 000293217700015

View details for PubMedID 21457097

View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3142654