Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7 (BMP-7), also known as Osteogenic Protein-1 (OP-1), is a member of the Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily. This group of proteins is known for their role in regulating cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. BMP-7 is particularly notable for its osteoinductive properties, meaning it can induce the formation of bone and cartilage. It plays a crucial role in the development of the kidney, eye, and limb, as well as in the repair of bone fractures .
BMP-7 was first identified by its ability to induce endochondral osteogenesis in vivo at extraskeletal sites. This discovery was made by Professor Marshall Urist and Professor Hari Reddi, who demonstrated that demineralized bone extract could induce ectopic bone formation in rats . BMP-7 functions by promoting the differentiation of mesenchymal cells into bone and cartilage cells. It is a secreted multifunctional growth factor that forms a disulfide-linked homodimer, which is essential for its biological activity .
Recombinant human BMP-7 (rhBMP-7) is produced using recombinant DNA technology. This involves cloning the BMP-7 gene into a suitable expression system, such as mammalian cells, to produce the protein in large quantities. The recombinant protein is then purified and used for various medical applications. rhBMP-7 has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for specific uses, including spinal fusions and the treatment of nonunion fractures .
rhBMP-7 is used in orthopedic applications such as spinal fusions, nonunions, and oral surgery. It has also shown potential in the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Studies have demonstrated that BMP-7 can reverse the loss of glomeruli due to sclerosis in murine models . Additionally, BMP-7 has been used in clinical trials for bone repair and has shown promising results in promoting bone formation and healing .
The production of rhBMP-7 involves several steps: