Engineered BMP2/BMP7 extracellular vesicles induce autocrine BMP release driving SMAD phosphorylation to promote bone formation

Abstract In the United States, impaired bone healing impacts ~600,000 patients annually. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP2) therapy is impeded by low bone quality and adverse effects. Here, mesenchymal stem cells, engineered to produce BMP2 and BMP2/7 containing extracellular vesicles (BMP2-EV an...

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Main Authors: Zeji Du, Skylar A. Rizzo, Tiffany L. Sarrafian, Monique S. Bagwell, Ryan C. Mahlberg, Ashley Amontree, Paige Schiebel, Dinah M. Tauferner, Zoe S. LeBrasseur, Tyra A. Witt, Mary Nagel, Kyla A. Boyd, Humberto De Vitto, Matthew L. Hillestad, Paul G. Stalboerger, Matthew T. Houdek, Rafael J. Sierra, Atta Behfar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:npj Regenerative Medicine
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-025-00405-2
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Summary:Abstract In the United States, impaired bone healing impacts ~600,000 patients annually. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP2) therapy is impeded by low bone quality and adverse effects. Here, mesenchymal stem cells, engineered to produce BMP2 and BMP2/7 containing extracellular vesicles (BMP2-EV and BMP2/7-EV), provided an alternative means of stimulating bone formation. BMP2-EV and BMP2/7-EV drove increased calcium deposition and alkaline phosphatase activity; with increase in osterix, RUNX2, osteocalcin, and osteopontin documenting osteoblast differentiation. BMP2/7-EV induced SMAD phosphorylation and calcium deposition, was inhibited by DMH1, a BMP I receptor inhibitor, demonstrating BMP receptor dependence. BMP2 and BMP7 extracellular vesicle encapsulation was confirmed with preserved potency following treatment with BMP antagonist, Noggin. Application of BMP2/7-EV in a rat calvarial defect model demonstrated enhanced bone formation on micro-computed tomography and histopathologic analysis, equaling rhBMP2. BMP2/7-EV mediated bone formation here highlights EVs as a unique modality for delivery of tailored polyvalent regenerative biotherapies.
ISSN:2057-3995