osteoinductive

Osteoinductive refers to the property of a material or biological signal to induce undifferentiated cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells, to proliferate and differentiate into osteoblasts, initiating new bone formation. In this context, osteoinduction involves recruiting host cells to a defect and providing signals that drive their osteogenic differentiation. This distinguishes it from osteoconduction, which describes a scaffold that supports bone growth, and from osteogenesis, which involves the direct contribution of viable osteogenic cells.

Osteoinduction typically relies on signaling molecules that stimulate bone formation. Key factors include bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and other growth factors that activate pathways such as BMP/SMAD and Wnt to promote cell proliferation, differentiation, and angiogenesis. The outcome is the recruitment of progenitor cells and their maturation into osteoblasts capable of laying down new bone tissue.

Clinically, osteoinductive materials include demineralized bone matrix, certain allografts, and biomaterials loaded with growth factors like BMPs. Some synthetic and natural scaffolds are engineered to present osteoinductive cues. These materials are used in applications such as spinal fusion, repair of long-bone nonunions, dental and craniofacial reconstruction, and enhancement of fracture healing.

Limitations and considerations include variability in osteoinductive activity due to processing methods and patient factors, potential for ectopic bone formation or inflammatory responses at higher doses, cost, and regulatory oversight. Assessment of effectiveness combines preclinical assays, imaging, and clinical outcomes such as radiographic union and functional restoration.