Overview
Imbalance in bone length, caused by congenital conditions or fractures, can result in progressive deformity and physical problems. To date, the only way to adjust these bone length problems are surgical procedures. UMB researchers have identified a nuclear retinoid receptor, RARγ, which controls the rate of transition from cartilage to bone and is therefore critical for longitudinal bone growth. They have developed a poly-L-lactide (PLLA)-based nanoparticle formulation for the targeted delivery and release of RARγ agonists and antagonists into the growth plate of specific bones. This represents a new method of treating abnormal bone growth by enhancing or blocking ossification.
This technology allows the control of endochondral bone formation locally, anywhere in the body, through modulation of RARγ receptors. Delivery of a RARγ agonist via nanoparticles to one side of the growth plate, or systemically, induces early closure of the plate, which can be used to correct bone alignment in joints. Conversely, delivery of RARγ antagonists, systemically or via nanoparticles, can prevent the early closure of growth plates and promote cartilage growth, helping heal growth plate fractures by preventing bone-bridge formation. RARγ targeting can be combined with the delivery of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), bone conducting grafting materials, and BMP/scaffold/skeletal progenitor cells to promote bone repair, heal fractures, and aid spinal fusion.
Advantages
Pharmacological treatment can replace surgical standard of care
Stage of Development
Proof of concept experiments with RARγ agonist and antagonist nanoparticles have been performed in a tibia defect repair model in wild-type and RARγ-null mice. These studies show bone repair is enhanced in RARγ-null mice, an effect mimicked by pharmacological isotype-specific antagonism of RARγ in a mouse ectopic bone model. In contrast, RARγ agonists inhibit chondrogenesis and reduce cartilage size.
Licensing Potential
Available for licensing
Contact Info
Office of Technology Transfer
620 W Lexington St., 4th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (410) 706-2380