Genetic and pharmacologic suppression of PPARγ enhances NELL-1-stimulated bone regeneration.

Recent investigations into mechanisms behind the development of osteoporosis suggest that suppressing PPARγ-mediated adipogenesis can improve bone formation and bone mineral density. In this study, we investigated a co-treatment strategy to enhance bone formation by combining NELL-1, an osteogenic molecule that has been extensively studied for its potential use as a therapeutic for osteoporosis, with two methods of PPARγ suppression. First, we suppressed PPARγ genetically using lentiviral PPARγ-shRNA in immunocompromised mice for a proof of concept.

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ Knockdown Impairs Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2-Induced Critical-Size Bone Defect Repair.

The Food and Drug Administration-approved clinical dose (1.5 mg/mL) of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) has been reported to induce significant adverse effects, including cyst-like adipose-infiltrated abnormal bone formation. These undesirable complications occur because of increased adipogenesis, at the expense of osteogenesis, through BMP2-mediated increases in the master regulatory gene for adipogenesis, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ).

The Effects of Systemic Therapy of PEGylated NEL-Like Protein 1 (NELL-1) on Fracture Healing in Mice.

Fractures are common, with an incidence of 13.7 per 1000 adults annually. Systemic agents have been widely used for enhancing bone regeneration; however, the efficacy of these therapeutics for the management and prevention of fracture remains unclear.

Efficacy of Intraperitoneal Administration of PEGylated NELL-1 for Bone Formation.

Systemically delivered NEL-like molecule-1 (NELL-1), a potent pro-osteogenic protein, promotes bone formation in healthy and osteoporotic mouse models. PEGylation of NELL-1 (NELL-PEG) increases the half-life of the protein in a mouse model without compromising its osteogenic potential, thereby improving its pharmacokinetics upon systemic delivery. This study consists of a twofold approach: a biodistribution test and an in vivo osteogenic potential test.

Guidelines for Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Analysis of Trabecular Bone-Rich Regions in Mice: Improved Precision, Accuracy, and Sensitivity for Assessing Longitudinal Bone Changes.

Trabecular bone is frequently studied in osteoporosis research because changes in trabecular bone are the most common cause of osteoporotic fractures. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) analysis specific to trabecular bone-rich regions is crucial to longitudinal osteoporosis research. The purpose of this study is to define a novel method for accurately analyzing trabecular bone-rich regions in mice via DXA.

Pharmacokinetics and osteogenic potential of PEGylated NELL-1 in vivo after systemic administration.

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder attributable to an imbalance in osteoblast and osteoclast activity. NELL-1, a secretory protein that promotes osteogenesis while suppressing osteoclastic activity, holds potential as an osteoporosis therapy. Recently, we demonstrated that PEGylation of NELL-1 significantly improves its thermostability while preserving its bioactivity in vitro.