The osteoinductive properties of Nell-1 in a rat spinal fusion model
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Recombinant growth factors bone morphogenetic protein-2
(BMP-2) and BMP-7 are currently approved for human use but are associated with various
adverse effects including ectopic bone formation and local inflammatory reaction. The
development of alternative growth factors may help minimize the adverse effects of current
osteoinductive therapeutics. Nell-1 (Nel-like molecule-1; Nel [a protein strongly expressed in
neural tissue encoding epidermal growth factor like domain]) is a novel secretory molecule …
(BMP-2) and BMP-7 are currently approved for human use but are associated with various
adverse effects including ectopic bone formation and local inflammatory reaction. The
development of alternative growth factors may help minimize the adverse effects of current
osteoinductive therapeutics. Nell-1 (Nel-like molecule-1; Nel [a protein strongly expressed in
neural tissue encoding epidermal growth factor like domain]) is a novel secretory molecule …
