Osteoporosis, a degenerative disease affecting millions worldwide, is characterized by a loss of bone mass, microarchitectural deterioration and a general decline in bone quality, which leads to an increased risk of fractures. As populations age, the incidence of osteoporosis rises, creating a pressing need for effective treatments. Current therapies, including antiresorptive and anabolic drugs, often come with significant side effects, prompting researchers to seek innovative solutions. Recent advancements in Biotechnology have opened new avenues for developing therapies that can potentially reverse the effects of osteoporosis and enhance bone regeneration.
A recent study explored the potential of recombinant human peptide growth factors, Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7 (rhBMP7), and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-BB (rhPDGF-BB) in treating osteoporosis using an oophorectomized rat model. The research, led by Professor Mari Cleide Sogayar and Dr. Ana Claudia Carreira along with their team including MSc Thamara Reis, Dr. Alice Del Colletto, Luiz Silva, and Dr. Bruna Koga from the University of São Paulo, was published in the journal Biomolecules. The researchers aimed to investigate new anabolic treatments to facilitate bone mass recovery, particularly for patients unable to tolerate the current medications.
The team employed an oophorectomy-induced osteoporosis rat model to evaluate the effects of systemic administration of rhBMP7 and rhPDGF-BB. Forty female Sprague Dawley rats underwent oophorectomy surgery, and treatments commenced on the post-surgery when all animals exhibited signs of osteoporosis. The treatments were administered intravenously.
The study found that the most effective treatments were the administration of rhPDGF-BB combined with rhBMP-7 twice a week, and rhBMP-7 alone twice a week. These treatments resulted in significant increases in the bone volume fraction and trabecular number. Specifically, the combined treatment led to substantial increases in both bone volume and the number of bone trabeculae, while the BMP-7 alone treatment also resulted in marked improvements in these measures.
“Our findings suggest that the combined systemic administration of rhPDGF-BB and rhBMP-7 can partially reverse osteoporosis in this animal model,” said Professor Sogayar. “This establishes these recombinant growth factors as potential candidates for the clinical treatment of osteoporosis.”
The research team conducted a thorough analysis of the treated animals. Histological examination confirmed the development of osteoporosis in the oophorectomized rats, characterized by significant reduction in trabecular thickness and an increase in intramedullary adipocytes. The effective treatments demonstrated increased trabecular thickness and reduced disease severity, indicating potential therapeutic benefits.
The promising results from Professor Sogayar and Dr. Carreira’s study highlight the potential of rhPDGF-BB and rhBMP-7 as therapeutic agents for osteoporosis. The next step involves testing these treatments under clinical conditions to evaluate their efficacy in human patients. The findings pave the way for developing new anabolic treatments that could offer significant improvements over current osteoporosis therapies in humans.
Journal Reference
Reis, T.G., Del Colletto, A.M.S., Silva, L.A.S., Koga, B.A.A., Sogayar, M.C., Carreira, A.C.O. “Recombinant Human Peptide Growth Factors, Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7 (rhBMP7), and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-BB (rhPDGF-BB) for Osteoporosis Treatment in an Oophorectomized Rat Model.” Biomolecules, 2024, 14, 317. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14030317
About the Authors
Mari Cleide Sogayar, PhD mcsoga@iq.usp.br
Born June 3rd, 1943 – One daughter, one son and four grandsons
1961-1962 Redwood High School, California, USA (Senior year)
1963-1968 Biological Sciences major, Biosciences Institute, University of São Paulo, Brazil
1971-1973 Master´s degree, Biology Dept., University of California San Diego, USA
1973-1977 Doctor´s degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, Brazil
1980: Assistant Professor – Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, Brazil
1982-1984: Visiting Assistant Professor – Harvard Medical School, Dana Farber Cancer Institute
1987: Livre-Docente title and Associate Professor, Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, Brazil
2000: Full Professor – Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute, University of São Paulo, Brazil
2001-2013: Head of the Cell and Molecular Biology NUCEL Center (www.usp.br/nucel)
2013-present: Head of the Cell and Molecular Biology NUCEL Group (www.usp.br/nucel)
Advisor to about 50 PhD and 15 Master´s students; Supervisor to about 30 pos-docs
More than 200 articles, two books, several book chapters published
Seven Patents deposited in Brazil and the USA
Ana Claudia Oliveira Carreira Nishiyama, PhD, ana.carreira@ufabc.edu.br
Ana Claudia Oliveira Carreira is a researcher and educator with extensive experience in Biotechnology and Regenerative Medicine. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the Center for Natural and Human Sciences (CCNH) of the Federal University of ABC (UFABC), she has also held the position of President of the Undergraduate Program Structuring Core (NDE) for the Biotechnology Bachelor’s Program at UFABC since 2023. Additionally, she is a Permanent Advisor at the PPG Biosystems Graduate Program at UFABC and PPG Anatomy Anatomy of Domestic and Wild Animals Program at the Veterinary School (FMVZ/USP), and a researcher member of the Cell and Molecular Biology NUCEL Group (School of Medicine/USP).
Carreira has a distinguished academic background, beginning with her Doctorate, which laid the foundation for her extensive research in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. She has held notable roles as a researcher and collaborator at the University of São Paulo and has successfully coordinated several research projects. She received numerous awards for presentations at international conferences. Dr. Carreira’s pioneering research includes the development and characterization of acellular animal tissues as innovative biomaterials, as well as the exploration of stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles for tissue repair and cancer therapy. Additionally, her contributions to recombinant human peptide growth factors for osteoporosis treatment and her studies on BMPs (Bone Morphogenetic Proteins) have significantly advanced medical science.
Dr. Carreira has published extensively, with over 77 articles in peer-reviewed journals, authored two books, and contributed to multiple book chapters. She also holds several patents related to biopharmaceuticals and regenerative therapies.
Dr. Carreira’s commitment to education and research extends to mentoring the next generation of scientists, having successfully supervised numerous Master’s and Doctoral students. She is actively involved in international research collaborations and continues to advance her field through innovative research and scholarly contributions.
Thamara Gonçalves Reis, MSc. (thamara.gr23@gmail.com)
Born February 23rd, 1996
2014-2018 Bachelor´s degree Biotechnology, Genetics and Biochemistry Institute, Federal University of Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
2018-2021 Master´s degree, Interunit Program in Biotechnology, University of São Paulo, Brazil
2020-2023 Researcher in R&D, Biobreyer Research and Development Ltd, São Paulo, Brazil
2023- present Researcher in R&D, Biobreyer and Bioinsumos Brasil Research and Bioproducts Trade, São Paulo, Brazil
One article published (Reis et al, 2024, Biomolecules – doi: 10.3390/biom1403031)
Alice Marcela Sampaio Del Colletto, PhD. (alicesampaiodelcolletto@gmail.com)
Born February 11th, 1996
2014-2017 Bachelor´s of Biomedical Sciences, Nove de Julho University in São Paulo, Brazil.
2016-2018 Biomedical researcher responsible for the Immunohistochemistry Sector – Hospital BP – Beneficiência Portuguesa, São Paulo, Brazil.
2019-2023 PhD in Anatomy of Domestic and Wild Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
2024 – Lecturer at Estácio de Sá University, Santo André, Brazil.
2024 Associate Researcher in NUCEL Group, São Paulo, Brazil.
One article published (2024, Biomolecules – doi: 10.3390/biom1403031)
