Progress in the combined application of bone morphogenetic protein ⁃ 2 and basic fibroblast growth factor in bone tissue engineering

Abstract

Bone morphogenetic protein⁃2 (BMP⁃2) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are two important sig⁃ naling molecules for natural bone repair that are widely applied in the field of bone tissue engineering. BMP⁃2 acceler⁃ ates the maturation and mineralization of osteoblasts, and bFGF exhibits significant effects on the promotion of cell divi⁃ sion and angiogenesis. The osteogenesis mechanism of BMP⁃2 differs from that of bFGF, leading to a potentially comple⁃ mentary role between the two proteins. The use of a suitable dose of bFGF in combination with BMP⁃2 in bone tissue en⁃ gineering synergistically promotes the formation of new bone and exhibits a better repair effect than either single growth factor. However, the suitable dose range of BMP⁃2 and bFGF in combination should be further clarified. The mechanism of the synergism and antagonism between BMP⁃2 and bFGF must be further delineated, and a drug delivery system that better simulates the growth factor release pattern during natural bone repair remains to be designed.

Keywords

• Bone morphogenetic protein⁃2
• Basic fibroblast growth factor
• Growth factors
• Combined applica⁃ tion
• Bone tissue engineering
• Bone regeneration