Polymorphisms in BMP4 and FGFR1 genes are associated with fracture non-union.

Fracture healing is a complex process influenced by a multitude of factors and expression of several thousand genes. Polymorphisms in these genes can lead to an extended healing process and explain why certain patients are more susceptible to develop non-union. A total of 16 SNPs within five genes involved in bone repair pathogenesis (FAM5C, BMP4, FGF3, FGF10, and FGFR1) were investigated in 167 patients with long bone fractures, 101 with uneventful healing, and 66 presenting aseptic non-unions.

Late adherent human bone marrow stromal cells form bone and restore the hematopoietic microenvironment in vivo.

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) are a valuable resource for skeletal regenerative medicine because of their osteogenic potential. In spite of the very general term "stem cell," this population of cells is far from homogeneous, and different BMSCs clones have greatly different phenotypic properties and, therefore, potentially different therapeutic potential. Adherence to a culture flask surface is a primary defining characteristic of BMSCs.